Tendulkar claims top spot in ICC Test ratings

Sachin Tendulkar has surged to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen, for the first time since 2002. Tendulkar's heroics in the Test series against Australia earned him 82 rating points, taking him to 891, 17 clear of Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in the second spot. Virender Sehwag, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Mahela Jayawardene completed the top five.

List of dates when Sachin Tendulkar claimed top spot

November 18, 1994 (34 and 85 v West Indies in Mumbai)

March 6, 1998 (4 and 155 v Australia in Chennai)

October 15, 1998 (By default, above Steve Waugh)

December 26, 1998 (47 and 113 v New Zealand in Wellington)

January 28, 1998 (0 and 136 v Pakistan in Chennai)

May 18, 2000 (By default, above Brian Lara)

February 21, 2002 (176 v Zimbabwe in Nagpur)

August 22, 2002 (193 v England in Leeds)

October 13, 2010 (212 and 53* v Australia in Bangalore)

This is the ninth time Tendulkar has become the top-ranked Test batsman in the world, and the first since the new ratings system came into place. He held the position for the first time in 1994, ahead of consistent runs at the top in the late 90s and early 2000s. His ascension comes close on the heels of his winning the ICC Cricketer of the Year award.

Tendulkar has enjoyed a watershed 2010, topping the run charts with 1270 runs, inclusive of four centuries and two double-hundreds. With India set to play three Tests against New Zealand at home and three Tests in South Africa in the immediate future, Tendulkar has the opportunity to better his career-best rating of 898 and become the 26th batsman to cross the 900-point mark.

Rahul Dravid held on to the 22nd position after a patchy series where he managed only one half-century in four innings. VVS Laxman retained the eighth spot despite missing the Bangalore Test, while M Vijay's maiden century helped him jump 29 places to 57th.

Ricky Ponting's inability to convert starts into centuries may have hampered his side, but his three 70s in four innings helped him climb three spots to the 16th position. Michael Clarke struggled for runs through the series, resulting in him dropping out of the top ten, while Simon Katich also slipped two spots to 14th. Shane Watson, who scored 271 runs in the two Tests, moved up to 24th, while Marcus North's fifth Test hundred lifted him to 46th.

In the bowler ratings, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Ben Hilfenhaus have all gained one place each. Zaheer, who picked 12 wickets in the series and impressed with his reverse swing, surged to 744 rating points, tied fourth with England's James Anderson. Johnson moved up to the seventh spot, one clear of Harbhajan who in turn pushed Doug Bollinger to ninth. Dale Steyn, Graeme Swann and Mohammad Asif continue to hold the top three spots in the bowling table.

current lot. But when pitted against players from previous generations such as Viv & Bradman ...much deeper thinking is required to reach a conclusion as far as i am concerned.

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:50 GMT

(cont...) Sehwag who has a str rate of 82 compared to Sachin's 55. But then as an Indian i would be the first who desperately desires that he be a more consistant and all round batsman.Look at his difference in avg: between 1st & 2nd inns.Look at his stats against all countries.We can see huge variations in performances.if avg: more than 80 in SL it is a poor 20 in NZL.Also remember Sehwag is 2000 product.I wonder what would have been his stats had he been from 1990 onwards.Imran,Akram,Waqar,Ambrose,Mcgarth,Hadlee,Donald,Walsh ,Pollock...hmmmm....a large if there...The way he gets out even to small challenges from not that great Hilfenhaus's, Jhonson's etc is ample evidence of this. So let us put Sehwag this way.When he gets going if he survives all initial challenges.. then he make sure to demolish attacks by taking aggression to different levels that no others can demonstrate.But those scores are far in between..That to mind concludes Sachin as the best test player of the(cont..

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:37 GMT

not outs are included..But then why exclude not outs ?. Infact isn't it the batsman's ability that he remained not out after scoring a 100.i agreed in certain occassions i felt that he could have scored slightly more aggressive in the finishing stages of team inns.But then there are lot of other100 inns where he scored aggressively towards the inns for team cause.169 vs SAF, 114 at Perth vs Aus, 122 at Birmingham etc immediately comes to mind.Here too i don't think that your claim that lara is much more aggressive compared to Sachin is correct.Then Ponting..his record in India comes immediately to mind..agreed he was really good in the last series..but over all when the match situation and pitch conditions were tougher... he failed miserably.then in other batting factors too i don't feel he is superior to Sachin as is evident from their career records.If you feel other wise pls challenge my claims.Then the only aggressor in this group who far out weighs Sachin in aggressiveness is

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:22 GMT

in Lara's career you can see that he couldn't score a 100 against 2 Ws, Donald&Pollock and Kumble in India. All were bowlers who bowled fuller lengths and were really quick thru the air.Even Kumble thou a spinner was quicker thru the air and yorker was one of his main weapons unlike other spinners.No hundred against these great bowlers with this common trait means he had a flawed technique against such bowling.Sachin in this
regard easily outscores him.One area i feel Lara outscored sachin was that when the bowling and conditions favoured him scored at better str: than Sachin.This is evident in the fact that Lara's str rate in all 34 century inns combined is 69 against Sachin's 60 from 49 century inns combined.But here too pls remember 2 more 100s...Sachin would have scored 150% of 100s that Lara have scored!!!.Not a small amount against a challenger..i assume...Also ave: of lara's 100 scores is 186 from 34 such inns as against 211 for Sachin from 49 such inns!!.Yes Sachin's(con..)

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:06 GMT

@ mohsin9975 ...my say is that your agruments are exaggerated.Take Laxman..except against Aus his record is patchy.He has played 3 or 4 miraculous inns..but not consistant vs teams other than Aus.His over all str rate: of 50 is some 5 less than Sachin's too.So the only area were he out scores Sachin slightly is at those 3 or 4 miracles were these were overall more long,slightly more precarious team positions, better finishing inns when compared to Sachin's similar knocks. Otherwise Sachin easily outscores him in total batsmanship. Steve waugh...aggresssive???
never. One area where he slightly outscores Sachin is might be he have played a few more rescue inns when compared to Sachin's.Here too Sachin easily outweighs him in all other batting factors.Then...you are claiming that Lara was lot aggressive than Sachin..not true.Lara's str: rate of 60 is only 5 better than that of Sachin's.But Sachin has nearly scored 2200 runs more at 4 more avg: than him.Also if you dig deeper (cont...)

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 16, 2010, 20:40 GMT

In 2008,c'paul avgd 90 in tests nd won player of d year award.He accumulated runs at SR of 40-45/100 balls as he has done thru out his career avg 50.His approach was criticisd by many of his teammates nd commentators for being self centred nd not going for wins.Its nt a bad record at all.He might end up scoring 10000 runs in his career at an avg close to lara nd dravid.Bt what gives lara d edge over c paul is his approach nd d impact that his centuries made.Thats what great players do.Strike d opp when it hurts dem d most.Lara did it more often than dravid,much more than sach nd certainly more than c paul.All d above players r modern greats.Sachin is no1 right now bcoz of inngs of impact since last year-103 vs eng,214 nd 53 in last test.Also he is d most consistent batsman of era follod closely by ponting,lara,kallis,dravid,sanga,viru,smith.Bt still they r no match for don

POSTED BY
Lion_of_Lanka
on | October 16, 2010, 19:27 GMT

@ssenthil: Maybe it would help india if they recruit cricketers who have the intellect to use UDRS properly. Then Asoka & Dharmasena's umpiring wouldnt affect India. @hindh88: When was the last time India won a series in OZ or SA? Oh thats right - Never. Pot calling kettle black

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 16, 2010, 18:08 GMT

@snowflake
bradman scored 100s in a session 6 times.Veterans say he was d fastest scorers they ever saw.Definitely his s/r cant be 35 per 100 balls.In dons era,they had light bats nd huge grounds.Even in the 70s and 80s hitting 6s was rare in tests.It was an event.T20s ,huge bats small grounds nd true flat pitches had ridiculed this major cricketing event.
@sach is life
i m no sachin basher.I luvd sachin till 2003 aus series.I was surprised sach adopted defensive style of play when he had able supporters in dravid and ganguly to do that.He had been aggresive till then nd cud hav easily contd same way wid RD,vvs nd Dada doing consolidation job.And yes,Vvs has an avg of 48 in 2nd inng not betterd by most.Lara blastd 11000 test runs while srt has accumulatd half of his 14000 runs since 2003.I wud hav surely luvd srt more had he finishd wid 12000 runs and 15 fewer test centuries playing his natural aggresive style

POSTED BY
on | October 16, 2010, 17:39 GMT

Who is Bradman? I dont trust those stats made by English and Australian score people, no record of that, I dont trust this, Sachin is the best , he has proved it. Forget about Bradman, live in the present, Bradman was no way near to the greatest Sachin.

POSTED BY
on | October 16, 2010, 17:36 GMT

I think bridget01 is just mentioning the English, Kiwi, Aussie and South african cricketers, he does not like the Indian Champ as he is not from these above mentioned countries, if Sachin was from Australia or England , he would have supported Sachin, but anyways, bridget01 is no one, I think the game was easy enough to play in those times and Sachin is number 1 and Bradman is 2. Bradman never had that stamina to play this long and with consistency, he was supported by many of the english and aussie teams . He never had to face this much of competition and stress as it is today.... better luck bridge01, Sachin is the best , bradman is 2. This is the fact.

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:52 GMT

current lot. But when pitted against players from previous generations such as Viv & Bradman ...much deeper thinking is required to reach a conclusion as far as i am concerned.

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:50 GMT

(cont...) Sehwag who has a str rate of 82 compared to Sachin's 55. But then as an Indian i would be the first who desperately desires that he be a more consistant and all round batsman.Look at his difference in avg: between 1st & 2nd inns.Look at his stats against all countries.We can see huge variations in performances.if avg: more than 80 in SL it is a poor 20 in NZL.Also remember Sehwag is 2000 product.I wonder what would have been his stats had he been from 1990 onwards.Imran,Akram,Waqar,Ambrose,Mcgarth,Hadlee,Donald,Walsh ,Pollock...hmmmm....a large if there...The way he gets out even to small challenges from not that great Hilfenhaus's, Jhonson's etc is ample evidence of this. So let us put Sehwag this way.When he gets going if he survives all initial challenges.. then he make sure to demolish attacks by taking aggression to different levels that no others can demonstrate.But those scores are far in between..That to mind concludes Sachin as the best test player of the(cont..

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:37 GMT

not outs are included..But then why exclude not outs ?. Infact isn't it the batsman's ability that he remained not out after scoring a 100.i agreed in certain occassions i felt that he could have scored slightly more aggressive in the finishing stages of team inns.But then there are lot of other100 inns where he scored aggressively towards the inns for team cause.169 vs SAF, 114 at Perth vs Aus, 122 at Birmingham etc immediately comes to mind.Here too i don't think that your claim that lara is much more aggressive compared to Sachin is correct.Then Ponting..his record in India comes immediately to mind..agreed he was really good in the last series..but over all when the match situation and pitch conditions were tougher... he failed miserably.then in other batting factors too i don't feel he is superior to Sachin as is evident from their career records.If you feel other wise pls challenge my claims.Then the only aggressor in this group who far out weighs Sachin in aggressiveness is

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:22 GMT

in Lara's career you can see that he couldn't score a 100 against 2 Ws, Donald&Pollock and Kumble in India. All were bowlers who bowled fuller lengths and were really quick thru the air.Even Kumble thou a spinner was quicker thru the air and yorker was one of his main weapons unlike other spinners.No hundred against these great bowlers with this common trait means he had a flawed technique against such bowling.Sachin in this
regard easily outscores him.One area i feel Lara outscored sachin was that when the bowling and conditions favoured him scored at better str: than Sachin.This is evident in the fact that Lara's str rate in all 34 century inns combined is 69 against Sachin's 60 from 49 century inns combined.But here too pls remember 2 more 100s...Sachin would have scored 150% of 100s that Lara have scored!!!.Not a small amount against a challenger..i assume...Also ave: of lara's 100 scores is 186 from 34 such inns as against 211 for Sachin from 49 such inns!!.Yes Sachin's(con..)

POSTED BY
rtmohanlal
on | October 17, 2010, 19:06 GMT

@ mohsin9975 ...my say is that your agruments are exaggerated.Take Laxman..except against Aus his record is patchy.He has played 3 or 4 miraculous inns..but not consistant vs teams other than Aus.His over all str rate: of 50 is some 5 less than Sachin's too.So the only area were he out scores Sachin slightly is at those 3 or 4 miracles were these were overall more long,slightly more precarious team positions, better finishing inns when compared to Sachin's similar knocks. Otherwise Sachin easily outscores him in total batsmanship. Steve waugh...aggresssive???
never. One area where he slightly outscores Sachin is might be he have played a few more rescue inns when compared to Sachin's.Here too Sachin easily outweighs him in all other batting factors.Then...you are claiming that Lara was lot aggressive than Sachin..not true.Lara's str: rate of 60 is only 5 better than that of Sachin's.But Sachin has nearly scored 2200 runs more at 4 more avg: than him.Also if you dig deeper (cont...)

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 16, 2010, 20:40 GMT

In 2008,c'paul avgd 90 in tests nd won player of d year award.He accumulated runs at SR of 40-45/100 balls as he has done thru out his career avg 50.His approach was criticisd by many of his teammates nd commentators for being self centred nd not going for wins.Its nt a bad record at all.He might end up scoring 10000 runs in his career at an avg close to lara nd dravid.Bt what gives lara d edge over c paul is his approach nd d impact that his centuries made.Thats what great players do.Strike d opp when it hurts dem d most.Lara did it more often than dravid,much more than sach nd certainly more than c paul.All d above players r modern greats.Sachin is no1 right now bcoz of inngs of impact since last year-103 vs eng,214 nd 53 in last test.Also he is d most consistent batsman of era follod closely by ponting,lara,kallis,dravid,sanga,viru,smith.Bt still they r no match for don

POSTED BY
Lion_of_Lanka
on | October 16, 2010, 19:27 GMT

@ssenthil: Maybe it would help india if they recruit cricketers who have the intellect to use UDRS properly. Then Asoka & Dharmasena's umpiring wouldnt affect India. @hindh88: When was the last time India won a series in OZ or SA? Oh thats right - Never. Pot calling kettle black

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 16, 2010, 18:08 GMT

@snowflake
bradman scored 100s in a session 6 times.Veterans say he was d fastest scorers they ever saw.Definitely his s/r cant be 35 per 100 balls.In dons era,they had light bats nd huge grounds.Even in the 70s and 80s hitting 6s was rare in tests.It was an event.T20s ,huge bats small grounds nd true flat pitches had ridiculed this major cricketing event.
@sach is life
i m no sachin basher.I luvd sachin till 2003 aus series.I was surprised sach adopted defensive style of play when he had able supporters in dravid and ganguly to do that.He had been aggresive till then nd cud hav easily contd same way wid RD,vvs nd Dada doing consolidation job.And yes,Vvs has an avg of 48 in 2nd inng not betterd by most.Lara blastd 11000 test runs while srt has accumulatd half of his 14000 runs since 2003.I wud hav surely luvd srt more had he finishd wid 12000 runs and 15 fewer test centuries playing his natural aggresive style

POSTED BY
on | October 16, 2010, 17:39 GMT

Who is Bradman? I dont trust those stats made by English and Australian score people, no record of that, I dont trust this, Sachin is the best , he has proved it. Forget about Bradman, live in the present, Bradman was no way near to the greatest Sachin.

POSTED BY
on | October 16, 2010, 17:36 GMT

I think bridget01 is just mentioning the English, Kiwi, Aussie and South african cricketers, he does not like the Indian Champ as he is not from these above mentioned countries, if Sachin was from Australia or England , he would have supported Sachin, but anyways, bridget01 is no one, I think the game was easy enough to play in those times and Sachin is number 1 and Bradman is 2. Bradman never had that stamina to play this long and with consistency, he was supported by many of the english and aussie teams . He never had to face this much of competition and stress as it is today.... better luck bridge01, Sachin is the best , bradman is 2. This is the fact.

Contd. frm last post
cricket is played in d mind as legends say.When u r in,take d opp out of d match,they say.Its not how many but how nd in what situation u get d runs.Srt changed his style to get consistency in last decade which made him defensive nd boring.Imagine ponting not playing pull,hook nd cuts to avoid getting out.Srt did it in this decade.Remember srts 154* in sydney 2008,he avoided off side shots,hook nd pull,gave ishant most of d strike in their 10wk prtnrshp of 31(ishant scored 23 wid 5fours)instead of farming strike nd hitting quick runs he preferred remaining notout.Scoring aggressively nd nt letting bowler dominate reduces bowler confidence.Hook nd pull might get u out bt u hav 2 do it to keep bowlers confidence low.Ponting hasnt stopd doing it even if has got out to it.When pujara pulled twice he wasnt pepperd again.While vijay nd sach wr nd will b peprd until they pull one comprehensively

POSTED BY
Hindh
on | October 16, 2010, 13:17 GMT

if india des not deserve NO 1 ranking then SL r nowhere near
Even NO 5 because they yet to win matches away in Aus,Ind,SA let alone a series...

POSTED BY
ssenthil
on | October 16, 2010, 13:05 GMT

@nav84smom: Get well soon by saying Lanka have more chance to win, for that Adarmasena and Aska DeSilva to umpire for them and unfortunately ICC won't allow those in World Cup. So Get the facts.

POSTED BY
CricFan24
on | October 16, 2010, 11:58 GMT

This article by the legendary Times reporter John Woodcock covers the topic comprehensively:

"Only Sachin Tendulkar can equal Don Bradman"- John Woodcock

John Woodcock is one of the few people (and almost surely the only one in this here blog) to have watched Bradman and Tendulkar both.

The above article was written in 2002. Just before Tendulkar's seemingly terminal decline and his subsequent renaissance in the last 3/4 years.

POSTED BY
Lion_of_Lanka
on | October 16, 2010, 11:43 GMT

@hindh88: True...But their chances are much better than India's anyway.

you really cannot compare different eras. Sachin is the best at the moment in the last 15-20 years and I do not think anybody in near future will dominate both Tests and One day like him. Don Bradman was the best in his era. They played under different conditions, different rules and different pressures. So we should stop comparing.

POSTED BY
ritesh405
on | October 16, 2010, 6:21 GMT

Mr Sherwin DPrakash: even Mithila Raj is better than Sang.

POSTED BY
bridget01
on | October 16, 2010, 6:12 GMT

Oh dear,
It seems alot of Indians are becoming delusional! Let's do a comparision between Bradman and Tendulkar.
Test average - at 99.94 - has been claimed to be statistically the greatest achievement in any major sport.
Tendulkars average is even second highest - and never has been throughout his career - fail!!!

A few current records Bradman achieved
- Highest series batting average (5 Test series): 201.50,
- Highest ratio of centuries per innings played: 36.25% (29 centuries from 80),
- Most runs in one series: 974
-Most centuries scored in a single session of play: 6 (1 pre lunch, 2 lunch-tea, 3 tea-stumps)
- Most runs in one day's play: 309
- Most double centuries: 12
- Most double centuries in a series: 3
- Most consecutive matches in which he made a century: 6
- Bradman has averaged over 100 in seven different calendar years. No player has achieved this in more than two calendar years.
Indians - stop comparing Sachin to Bradman - It's embarrassing.

POSTED BY
Hindh
on | October 16, 2010, 4:30 GMT

@suranga and like minded or mind dead lankans dont worry SL has no chance
in next WC.

POSTED BY
prashant1
on | October 16, 2010, 4:08 GMT

Tendulkar = No.1 Batsman of ALL Time

POSTED BY
on | October 16, 2010, 4:04 GMT

I am neutral - a WI born. Usman Khan, hats off to you for being objective. First of all, I have Indian friends and will tell you that NONE of them ever think that Sri Nath is even close to Wasim. He to my mind is the greates reverse-swing bowler of ALL time. Like wise I think that Sachin is the BEST but only after The Don.

For true fans like you, teams need to play cricket in Pakistan. Ifeel for you.....And imagine the Pakistani bowlers with Indian batsmen on the same team!!!!!

POSTED BY
Ringo44
on | October 16, 2010, 3:57 GMT

Im an Aussie and can say without a doubt that Sachin is the best in the world, Everytime he plays against us he all ways gets a score, if hes out early its normally a bad decision. As for comparing him with Bradman its unfair to say which one is better.

True Story: In 1991, Sachin came to the UK to play for Yorkshire for a season. Interviewed on TV and asked how many Test runs he hopes to make, he replied: "15000" - I am not kidding. Asked to comment on it - Geoffrey Boycott added that " . . this was all possible - just look at all the cricket they play these days. "

So it has almost come to pass!

POSTED BY
on | October 16, 2010, 2:35 GMT

this crickinfo is sucks last time when i checked sanga was on top but no articles about that guy but today sachin, sachin, sachin... i think this web page doing by india thats y this much talking........about him by the y sanga not had any aword he was no 1 ranking that time any....auns......shit...

POSTED BY
Jamesc89
on | October 16, 2010, 2:26 GMT

@Benzildeepak Dsouza come on mate give me a break. in another 70 years time when the bowlers are doing new things (which I assume is what youre referring to that Bradman did not play reverse swing or the doosra) people will be saying the same things about sachin and you and i both know he is a genius, just as im sure people who saw bradman know he was a genuis. the fact of the matter is, bradman averaged 99 against whatever he faced, tendulkar averages 56 against whatever he faces. if there is a batsman in 100 years who averages 60 against whatever the hell the bowlers are doing then (i.e. some new style of bowling/moving the ball etc) people like you and i will not accept that this new batsman is better than sachin simply because sachin did not face this stuff.

plus you've only mentioned the arguments for sachin. what about the fact bradman wore no helmet and didnt play on these absurd roads they call pitches nowadays.

bottom line- they are both geniuses

POSTED BY
on | October 16, 2010, 1:24 GMT

Its difficult to compare Bradman and Sachin.

How can you compare 2 batsmen from entirely different era's.

Bradman played on uncovered wickets and faced 'bodyline' bowling. There was no limit on number of bouncers. The bats were not as good as current day bats. The protective gear was also unheard of - Helmets, arm guards etc.

Sachin is playing in era of massive media coverage. Its high pressure and he did not enjoy the same support that bradman had from other team mates. He played in very different conditions and against very diverse bowling. His longevity and consistency are impeccable. Please don't compare the two greats because none of us have the talent or ability to judge them.

POSTED BY
spanch
on | October 16, 2010, 1:04 GMT

Suraga Talked like Sangakkara who questioned Indian Test Ranking after winning only one test and had to shut his mouth for ever after he lost the rest in their same own country. I guess only Srilanka have a dirty mouth. Cant digest that they lost. Srilanka didnt even won a test series against foreign nation except Bangladesh. Shame on you. Talking against Sachin is talking against India itself. Now please mind your business.

POSTED BY
SnowSnake
on | October 16, 2010, 0:45 GMT

Guys, if you look at these things mathematically. Bradman statistics start falling apart. Bradman played many timeless tests, some of it spanned for 8-10 days with a day break in between to recover. He scored at a strike rate of around 35% (you have to physically crunch the numbers by looking at the matches) and scored only 6 sixes in his entire career (in contrast to Tendulkar scoring 2 sixes in a over for his 49th century). So Bradman (low strike rate/innings, fewer boundries/innings, high average with resting time). Sachin (high strike rate/innings, more boundries/innings, low average without resting time). Bradman scores high on average, Sachin scores high on strike rate and boundries/innings. Statistically numbers get more reliable when sample size increases. With Sachin 171 and Bradman 52, Sachin numbers are more reliable. Would Bradman be able to maintain high average with high strike rates if he could play 171 tests? Don't know--Nobody does.

POSTED BY
zxaar
on | October 16, 2010, 0:26 GMT

Everybody from indian team of 1983 world cup is better than bradman because they have won world cup and bradman did not. Its so simple really. Now counter this you he-won-world-cup-hence-better brigade. And oh bradman averages 0 in ODIs. And has 0 centuries in ODIs. Clearly miles behind sachin who is top century maker in tests and in ODIs.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 23:22 GMT

Sachin's greatness is not only the runs he scores but the humility and character he displays.He is a true role model for young aspiring cricketers around the world.Well done Sachin.I salute you.

Sachin other hand has to face all the consciquences, again he played all the continents with conditions. so tell me now who is greatest....

POSTED BY
Robdahl
on | October 15, 2010, 21:47 GMT

My friend Suranga Devamullage.....let me remind you of the fact that "CRICKET" is a team sport and it is to all 11 players to contribute to win the World Cup. He's foolish who says somebody won the WC for his country. Absolutely rubbish. I dont think Adam Gilchrist or Ricky Pointing or Mc Grath or Shane Warne single-handedly won world cup for Australia. AND read stats before you post comments ......20 yrs in cricket and he(Sachin T.) has almost every record in his name. So, wht is that you are expecting from Sachin. Should he score 50,000 runs or 200 centuaries for you to believe he is one of the GREAT. And moreover, he doesn't count his stats .....he's trying to win games for his country and in the mean time has amassed so much to himself. He is trying his best for his country but he needs support from all the 11 players. And let me remind you what Javagal Srinath said...."He(Sachin T.) sets standard for other players like himself." You see my point........PEACE.

POSTED BY
kajjas
on | October 15, 2010, 21:42 GMT

@Suranga Devamullage: lets go your way how many of the people you mentioned far better than Sachin have won world cup for their respective countries..Winning world cup is not a one man show, its a team effort..Jayawardane, jayasurya are no way close to Sachin...dont show your jealous feelings by writing what ever you feel like..

POSTED BY
Sach_is_Life
on | October 15, 2010, 21:34 GMT

@Moshin...dont talk like Ian Chappel..Its not abt hitting every ball to 4 r 6 ..ask any bowler in the world..whose wicket u cherish the most ..Right now he dont need 2 take any risks..bcaz he can hit boundaries at his will..without take any risks..Thats the hall mark of SRT's batting from the past 2,3 yrs..and dont forget that he z the only batsmen 2 hit a 200 in ODIs that to without taking any risks..After Sehwags,Yuvis n Rainas arrival ..there is no need 4 Sachin to take any risks..and abt not playing particular shots in a Test match..again thats the greatness of SRT..its not easy 2 control his instincts,ask Ponting..what happened to his famous pull shot ..and again...without talking any risks..he'z scoring at a healthy sr rt of 60 in most of his recent knocks ..and you mention Laxman when u're talking abt SRT's 2 innings avgs..Do u know Laxman's 4th inning avg? and u dont care if Shewag is mediocre in 2nd innings...Just 2 innings n VVS became 4th innings hero 4 u ...hmm..Cool ..!!

POSTED BY
nlambda
on | October 15, 2010, 21:28 GMT

Guys, it is over-enthusiastic to call SRT > Bradman. Bradman's performance outshone all his peers and everyone else by a wide margin. In fact, his average has been rated the biggest statistical anomaly across all major sports. I am a proud Indian and proud of Sachin but calling him ahead of Bradman is just plain wrong. All these statements around Bradman averaging in the 50s if he had played 170 tests are speculative. How can you be so sure he would not still have averaged in the 90s? There is no way to know, so just accept 99.94 as the gold standard.

POSTED BY
faraz1982
on | October 15, 2010, 21:27 GMT

LOL! It's so funny to see these people placing comments!

I remember when Tendulkar was out of form and he wasn't doing very well ... EVERYONE was bashing him and wanted him to be axed from the team! Even his home crowd booed him once!!!

Now that he is inform, EVERYONE has given him this god like status!

Wait till he plays against Pakistan and gets out on 0 ... he'll get the bashing of his life once again! So ... basically no one is best .... you are just good at what you do! :)

POSTED BY
Sach_is_Life
on | October 15, 2010, 21:22 GMT

@Suranga Devamullage..how come Mahela,Lara and Kallis are better than Sachin if only winning WC for their country is tha real benchmark..can u elaborate plz..Both Lara and Kallis didn't even done anything significant in any of the WCs they've played ..Ohh..sorry..this argument only holds 4 Sachin ..Right..? Ohh...But Lara has Triple hundreds ..But wat abt Ricky and Sanga..forget abt Kallis who is yet 2 score his 1st double hundred..Ohh..again my fault ..Only Sachin has 2 fulfill all the requirements .. How can i miss this simple logic...Sorry carry on..!! And for my fellow Sachin fans..plz stop comparing him with Bradman for God sake..there is no comparison bw DON and SRT ..There is definitely daylight bw DON and SRT just like there is Day light between SRT and others..Please dont embrace SRT by saying that he z better than DON ..Hope u understand ..Cheers..!!

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 20:29 GMT

I have seen GOD. He bats at No.4 for INDIA in Tests" - MATHEW HAYDEN
" EVEN in my DREAMS I see SACHIN HITTING me for SIX"- SHANE WARNE
"We are Lucky to be born in the same Era as SACHIN so we can see him bat" - SUNIL GAVASKAR
"Bus USKI WICKET HI LENI HEIN" - SHOAIB AKHTAR, when asked by a reporter whether he wants other 9 wickets or just SACHIN's wicket.
"He can play that LEG GLANCE even with a walking stick"- WAQAR YOUNUS
"There are 2 kind of batsman in the world - Sachin Tendulkar and All the others - ANDY FLOWER
"I want my SON to become SACHIN TENDULKAR" - BRAIN LARA
"Do all your crimes when SACHIN is batting, because even GOD is busy watching his batting"- AN AUSSIE FAN
And this is the best of the lot
"I CAN SEE MYSELF WHEN I SEE SACHIN BAT" - SIR DONALD BRADMAN
- A TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND WHO HAS MADE INDIA PROUD FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES
But SACH yeh DIL MAANGE MORE - WORLD CUP '2011
- PROUD TO BE BORN IN THE SAME COUNTRY WHERE "GOD OF CRICKET" was BORN

POSTED BY
nivek123
on | October 15, 2010, 20:01 GMT

@Suranga Devamulle... What???????

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 19:59 GMT

@ suranga If u are talking about all those players, they havnt won the world cup alone, It is a team effort not a individual one, and i don't need to prove Sachin, he is the cricket god, if u think other players are better ask them to jus make an extra century than him or jus 1 run extra in test or ODIs, they all got equal opportunities, but cant capitalise on the opportunity. People have even longer carriers than the little master but no1 else can make such records.... Being fit and playing a 200 run ODI innings at 37 is no joke....

POSTED BY
anfour
on | October 15, 2010, 19:40 GMT

many of u say that Sachin is flat track bully.But u need some skill to play on flat tracks also.Otherwise why are players like Ponting struggling when playing in India? Moreover Sachin excels on Australian soil as well.

POSTED BY
Mark00
on | October 15, 2010, 17:54 GMT

People conjure up all kind of excuses to compare Sachin with Bradman. It's really rather silly.

Bradman would never have been trapped shoulder before wicket twice.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 16:24 GMT

Bradman only played against England, mostly. Same 7-8 grounds, same teams, same conditions every time. If you would make Zimbabwe and Bangladesh play 10 Test matches every year for 10 years, one of their players will have a 100+ average. Bradman got all his hundreds on 8 grounds. Sachin got his in 16 different grounds spread across 4 continents. There were no ODI tournaments in Bradman's era - he didnt have to adjust his game compared to what modern batsmen need to do all the time.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 14:54 GMT

Its his throne.He deserves it.The master has been hitting Purple patches for quite a while now, but this years is something special, he has been phenomenal to say the least

POSTED BY
SnowSnake
on | October 15, 2010, 14:20 GMT

@Saosin: Bradman fans always flaunt his average because that is all Bradman has-- high average. At one time I processed the numbers of Bradman along with Tendulkar, Shewag and Ponting. What I found was that Bradman scored that average with a strike rate of around 35% where as strike rates of all other players was over 53%. Also, Bradman's average # of sixes/innings was about 0.075 where as all modern batsman have this average greater than 0.2. Unless, Bradman performs higher in all statistics, he is NOT all time great. He is only great of his time, and Tendulkar is great of his time. Bradman played timeless tests with break days in betweeen. Modern day batsmen play at higher strike rates, score faster and play without break. Not to mention the number of different ballers Bradman had to face vs. number of different ballers that Tendulkar had to face. When you consider most other factors Bradman will score low against Tendulkar. Both Batsmen were great of their era.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 13:47 GMT

Sachin tendulkar is the god of cricket !!!! he rockss !!!!

POSTED BY
Indus11
on | October 15, 2010, 12:33 GMT

@Praveen Reddy Hi There ARE a Billion cricket fans in India - (and that is a good thing) - There are a Billion and a third people in India and those 300,000,000 are the ones who are not cricket fans. So whoever said 'a Billion' - they are correct. India by the way has given cricket a future it would never have had with Austrlio-English people incharge. Thanks India . . . . and Thanks EVERYBODY in India . . . all Billion of you.

POSTED BY
--.--
on | October 15, 2010, 12:27 GMT

Who is the BEST BOWLER ? Warne ? - NO. Murali ? - NO. Kumble ? - NO. Marshall ? - NO. Akram ? -NO. Waqar ? - NO. It is Bill O'Reilly. Don Bradman himself had said he was the best bowler he ever saw. ...... http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/481212.html?comments=all#comments ....... Since according to us, Bradman is the best batsman then only a best batsman can tell who the best bowler is ! Would you dare to revolt back to what Bradman said ? Anyone ?

POSTED BY
rajeevsingh
on | October 15, 2010, 12:23 GMT

Sachin should thank the BCCI who has got mighty influence on the ICC who arranges the schedule for all the cricket playing nations. India is the only country who are scheduled to play 90% of the tests on their home soil which is thanks to the BCCI hold on the ICC. In fairness to all,Tendulkar has been breaking all these records not only because he is a great player but he is a player who got to play 22 years of international cricket and if a great player gets to play this amount of matches then he is likely to get a chance to break batting records on the way. If Viv Richards or Allan Border had got to play 22 plus years cricket then they also would have broken many a record. One can argue that Sachin has been great as far as longevity of his career is concerned but one can also dispute that he has been selfish and worried only about his place and not the many many youngsters who are knocking for the last so many years to get into the Indian team.

POSTED BY
rajeevsingh
on | October 15, 2010, 12:22 GMT

We must accept graciously that Sachin has been fantastic in 2010 but we must not insult the game of cricket itself by comparing Sachin who has an average of just above 55 with an absolute incomparable genius like DON BRADMAN. Even Jacques Kallis, Mohd. Yousuf, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, etc. have also got averages above 55 but their countrymen are sensible and never go overboard with statements like they are better than Bradman or even Gary Sobers. Kallis is also a bowler to boot and Sangakkara is the wicketkeeper of Sri Lanka which are added responsibilities which as stated above, Tendulkar does not have to deal with. But no, we Indians typically neglect and brush everything else by the side and only look at what our players are all about. And all the above players do not get to play a full year on Indian pitches, which are known to be batting paradises. Credit to Tendulkar for all of the runs in 2010 but to be true, it has all been on Indian batting beauties.

POSTED BY
rajeevsingh
on | October 15, 2010, 12:20 GMT

We just want everything on a platter because we are born and brought up like that. Not only that, Ponting also has to captain Australia and Sachin does not have that extra burden. And Ponting is one of the greatest ever fieldsman. Even though Ponting has lost the series to India and also the Ashes before that, his winning percentage is second to none. He has won 3 world cups, 2 Champions trophy, test series win against every country home and abroad either as a player or captain and innumerable one day trophies all around the world, a record which no player has achieved in history. Now that Tendulkar has averaged almost 100, he is suddenly seen as better than Bradman. Bradman had averaged more than 100 almost every season he played all types of cricket. Tendulkar may be the best batsman in the world today but it is just one season that Ponting has been out of form even though he has been scoring 50s consistently without going on to score big centuries.

"Posted by Kamal Dissanayake on (October 15 2010, 05:15 AM GMT)
KUMAR SANGAKKARA IS BETTER THAN SACHIN AND BRADMAN....." Kamal Dissanayake is better than Jim Carey. Now that makes sense.

POSTED BY
Apache_Indian
on | October 15, 2010, 11:49 GMT

*I was just going through the comments and found a comment of a Sri Lankan fan named "LakmalPhysics" who claims that Sangakkara is better than Sachin Tendulkar. Thought of revolting back but then I laughed and moved on !*

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 15, 2010, 11:48 GMT

Guys give it bradman yaar.An avg of 99 is unthinkable.Do u really think sachin can get 2 triple hundreds,12 double tons and avg 99,avg 95 in fc cricket if he had played only 50 tests even if all of which were against zim,bang,and todays wi and pak over 20 years on uncovered pitches nd unlimited bouncers?These two greats played in 2 diff eras which makes comparisons meaningless.Bradman dint have modernday support staff,physios,highly skilled doctors to maintain his health over long period of time.Tendulkar hasnt seen a world war and lack of basic facilities like gym nd healthy food..If slo-mo has helped modernday bowlers then it definitely has helped tndays batsmen.Cricket rules today r heavily in favour of batrmen.Ask any modernday bowler.Give it to bradman for his incredible consistency. Credit sach for his endurance nd hunger for runs.

POSTED BY
Apache_Indian
on | October 15, 2010, 11:31 GMT

Well I didn't know that this is the first time that Sachin has become No. 1 Test batsman since 2002..anyway Congrats to Sachin ! He averages around 98 in year 2010 so he deserve it !

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 11:29 GMT

If he is sooooo greatest, ask him to win a word cup for India.......!!!Players like Brian Lara, Mahela Jyawardena, Sanath Jayasooriya,Rikey Ponting, Kalilis far better than Sachin.......!!!!

POSTED BY
ponting_is_the_best
on | October 15, 2010, 11:24 GMT

One thing all "Sachin is GOD" fans should think of is would you have called him that if he din't have close 100 international 100s. I mean you have atleast 3 other batsman in India who are really really good, but may be not as spoken about as Sachin. Dravid for sure has a better defense and can play the moving ball better, Laxman has a better knack of scoring big and good against tough oppositions, Sehwag can score runs at his will most of the times.

I mean, with all his charm with batting, he hasn't been able to get India a single World Cup and he hasn't been able to help India win considerable number of test matches.

For me, one has to be GOD if all of these are positive: high impact in winning matches (tests), high number of runs, ability to handle pressure situations most of the times, technique, ability to play best oppposition bowlers, and ability to play consistently in an innnings of a game. Else no one is GOD!!!

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 15, 2010, 11:07 GMT

In tests,Sachins been very consistent(odi criket is very difrent game where he is best ever)without any outrageous matchwinning knock. Sach fans may argue his 136 vs pak was genius.It wud, had he seen india thru.Imagine had laxman not seen india thru in mohali, wud his 76 be considered a genius?Definitely not. It was just 70 odd,but still its a gem coz he saw india thru.Bt since last cple of yrs his mtchwinning inngs hav doubled.His 103 vs eng was a gem.His 53 in 2nd gave more meaning to 200 in 1st inng.Quality matters over quantity.The problem wid sachins other 100s is the manner in which he gets them.When Ponting,lara,sehwag,waugh,laxman get 100s it dents d confidence of opp bowlers and playrs.Self belief in opp is robbed away.When these players get in their zone, they get ruthless and merciless. They ensure that the match is taken away from opp.The opp is blown away.Sachs 100s dont really seem to make such impact.When he is in the zone, he doesnt go the full distance to take the opp out of the match.Bcoz of that,even when he is in his zone, bowlers believe they can hit back.Nd they invariably do.Even today if we r to chase down a target in last inng, we luk 2 sehwag(even tho his 2nd inng avg is mediocre, opp fear him most), laxman or even dravid.If sachin duz it we consider it a bonus.If he manages to change that image(hes shown signs in last 2 years) nd bring fear back in the minds of bowlers, like he did in his early odi career,he wll b d greatest ever.Sach is one of the greatest of all time nonetheless.

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 15, 2010, 10:52 GMT

Contd frm prev. post
he is one of the greatest.His record of 14000 runs,49 tons,his hunger for cricket is unsurmountable.Bt in getting this consistency, he has cut down shots that he considers risky.Remember d 152* in 2008 vs aus,he dint hit a boundry on offside.In his 10wkt partnrshp wid ishant of 30 odd,insted of farming strike & scoring quickly himself,he gave ishant strike.Luckily ishant hit 24 wid 4 fours nd none frm sach.That was quite surprising tactic frm sach.Cricket is mostly played in d mind.Playing aggresively puts opp on backfoot.To attain consistency,he sacrificed hook,pull and cut shots in tests made him a very defensive batsman since 2000.The bowlers no longer feared him,raising their confidence to get him out.Ponting dint sacrifice his pullshot even tho hes got out many times playing it.He knows ducking to a bouncer increases bowlers confidence.Pujara dint get a single short bowl after d 2 he pulled successfully

POSTED BY
ibisbyrne
on | October 15, 2010, 10:43 GMT

@LAKMAL, YES WE AGREE AKTAR NEED ONLY 1 DELIVERY TO MAKE OUT SACHIN.BUT FOR THAT DELIVERY HE NEEDS TO WAIT FOR SO LONG.PLZ SEE THE WORLDCUP-2003.@MARK,WASIM IS ONE OF THE LONGEST ADMIRE OF SACHIN.HE WAS SHOUTING TO FELLOW FIELDER WHEN HE DROPS 1 CATCH OF SACHIN IN 2003.NO DOUBT ABOUT ARAVINDA AND LARA,BUT SACHIN IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS.WHEN HE PLAYS IT IS ATREAT TO WATCH.IF HIS INNINGS ARE NOT OF USE HOW HE CONTINUED FOR 21 YEARS.SEWAG,LAXMAN,PONTING AND ALL CAN PLAY WITH LESS PRESSURE THAN SACHIN BECAUSE EXPECTATIONS ARE LESS THAN SACHIN.ALSO THEY WILL FACE LESS CRITICS THAT SACHIN FAILS.IF YOU ARE A TRUE CRICKET FAN,CAN YOU PUT YOUR HAND ON YOUR CHEST AND TELL SACHIN IS NOT GREAT?ANSWER IS BIG NOOOOOOOOO.THERE IS ONLY 1 AND ONLY SACHIN.HATS OFF TO HIM

POSTED BY
Devmanus
on | October 15, 2010, 10:43 GMT

Lets put it in this way...

Don Bradman is the best cricketer batsman among the below 5 (roughly) cricket playing nations (202 years,52 tests) and Sachin Tendulkar is the best cricketer batsman among below 10 (roughly)cricket playing nations (20 years 171+ tests and 442+ one day cricket). we have to respect the cricketing conditions of their respective time (different or same does not matter)and assume that they have outplayed all their fellow colleagues at that time. No need to compare both of them in same xy axis as they belongs to different time frame and technique of cricket and different formats (one day, test etc).

probably it is destined that one will have 100 batting average and another will have 100 centuries...

Lets assume GOD decided to play cricket and with Don and Sachin he has achieved both the milestones.. we will wait now for the bowling champions

POSTED BY
ijk007
on | October 15, 2010, 10:38 GMT

@mohsin9975: Most of the time, If sachin is there he makes the game easy... thats the major difference and thats what he is for...Sachin is not the best finsher, but his nature is not needing that... Mostly ppl would say that lower middle order batsmen like Laxman, Hussey, Bevan, Klusener, Boucher, Albie Morkel are best finishers... But thats not the case with Top order batsmen, their duty is set good platform for batting... And even more is Sachin had won matches for India but as the wicket margin is high they wont care that... The real thing is If Sachin is in crease he make things easy for others too, he is such a woderful cricketer... I am not saying Sachin is a best finisher, But Without Sachin we can't finish the game off. Isn't it?

POSTED BY
ijk007
on | October 15, 2010, 10:23 GMT

@LakmalPhysics: I believe that Sangakkara is one of thegood batsman from Subcontinent who played well in pacy pitches... but he is yet too far for SRT calibre... Well i guess U forgot the 2003 World Cup in SA, when Sachin milked every opposition. Especially against Pakistan where three best bowlers in the line up(Wasim, Waqar, Akhtar), but Sachin made them silly by his superb batting. After that match, All the 3 fast bowlers praised for his batting is well. If Akhtar needed only one delivery(Ur comment is silly even) means u got to see the Sachin's 98 runs before that, including a massive six(Shot of the tournament) of Akhtar... I still remember the praise words from Akhtar and Warne after they were thrashed all over the park by sachin's batting... And Sachin's 1st four test century came up against Eng, Aus, Aus, SA and all are away pitches... Do we need any other stats to say Sachin is best against any opposition or any pitch... He is the best, Doesn't he!

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 15, 2010, 10:11 GMT

In tests,Sachins been very consistent(odi criket is very difrent game where he is best ever)without any outrageous matchwinning knock. Sach fans may argue his 136 vs pak was genius.It wud, had he seen india thru.Imagine had laxman not seen india thru in mohali, wud his 76 be considered a genius?Definitely not. It was just 70 odd,but still its a gem coz he saw india thru.Bt since last cple of yrs his mtchwinning inngs hav doubled.His 103 vs eng was a gem.His 53 in 2nd gave more meaning to 200 in 1st inng.Quality matters over quantity.The problem wid sachins other 100s is the manner in which he gets them.When Ponting,lara,sehwag,waugh,laxman get 100s it dents d confidence of opp bowlers and playrs.Self belief in opp is robbed away.When these players get in their zone, they get ruthless and merciless. They ensure that the match is taken away from opp.The opp is blown away.Sachs 100s dont really seem to make such impact.When he is in the zone, he doesnt go the full distance to take the opp out of the match.Bcoz of that,even when he is in his zone, bowlers believe they can hit back.Nd they invariably do.Even today if we r to chase down a target in last inng, we luk 2 sehwag(even tho his 2nd inng avg is mediocre, opp fear him most), laxman or even dravid.If sachin duz it we consider it a bonus.If he manages to change that image(hes shown signs in last 2 years) nd bring fear back in the minds of bowlers, like he did in his early odi career,he wll b d greatest ever.Sach is one of the greatest of all time nonetheless.

POSTED BY
anoopshameed
on | October 15, 2010, 10:08 GMT

@ havocsat GOOD ONE!

POSTED BY
ijk007
on | October 15, 2010, 9:55 GMT

Well, sallu420... I think u are not much aware of rules and past cricket... During Bradman times, they used to play very few matches in a calendar year and that too Test cricket alone. Modern 50 and T20 came in late 1980's... So they had played only test matches that too with enough time to practice and match schedules were very easy to follow... But if u see these days, Sachin has played all kind of cricket and he is getting better and better everyday and he topped everyone with no doubts though he has a tight schedule to follow... And FYI even these days a bowler can bowl as much bouncer as he can in test cricket...

POSTED BY
anoopshameed
on | October 15, 2010, 9:54 GMT

@LakmalPhysics completely agree with you that Sangakkara's untimely statement (He should have won the series and then complained!) did help us understand the ranking system. And kindly don't bite on your own tail-if Sachin has to prove his quality by playing in Aus, Eng & SA, doesn't Sanga and Arvinda have to do so too! Let's see their averages: Sachin (AUS-16 matches at 58.53, Eng 24-61.42, SA 24-38.24), Sanga (AUS 3-65.16, Eng 6-30.54, SA 5-39.20). I am not stating Arvinda as I don't want to belittle him! If you still think that Sanga is better I won't blame you because I once met an die hard England fan who predicted that Kevin Peiterson would overtake Sachin's aggregates before he retired! And Sachin scored two centuries in the series you mentioned (one in each test of the series) and the 200* in the ODIs against Steyn. Steyn just got him out in the first innings of 1st test!

POSTED BY
arnavred
on | October 15, 2010, 9:40 GMT

Hiii all.No doubt that Bradman was a good player of his era.I think Sachin is better player than bradman was.Because Sachin Tendulkar played in every test nation country for twenty years with consistency against almost every team in every country and also under immense pressure of high expectations and large media,who always wants to dominate particularly Indians,i don't know why but its a fact.But bradman's is entirely different scenario. Sachin never let any Indian down.When ever required for his team,he was there.Even it is after 20 years of cricketing carrer.For example:214 against aussies recently.So Let us BOW to the MASTER.GOD of Indian cricket and living Legend..OK...Anyways Guys its only my opinion.If i hurt any one' feeling am sorry.Good luck...

POSTED BY
sweetspot
on | October 15, 2010, 9:34 GMT

@Usman Khan - totally feel you there with this nationalism business. I very much doubt if many in India EVER thought ANYBODY in the world, leave alone Srinath was better than Wasim Akram. Wasim was an awesome bowler, and we watched with fascination, even if he was decimating India. Do we respect him? Totally! Of course we enjoy Sachin hammering Pak bowlers, but by no means do we begin to put our pacemen above Pakistani bowlers of yore. There are a LOT of us, nationalist or otherwise, who love to see Pakistan do well. If Pakistan was playing England for instance, where do you think my cheers are directed? Definitely not towards Strauss and his boys! But they get my cheers against Australia! Let's hope for solid, competitive cricket, that produces incredible performers in all teams!

POSTED BY
mvashwinn
on | October 15, 2010, 8:59 GMT

I have started watching cricket when sachin started his career I dont know whether I will watch cricket after sachins retirement.My god is Sachin I m going to name my son Sachin.Sachinnnnnnn sachin

POSTED BY
murali3883
on | October 15, 2010, 8:57 GMT

hail the master
as said by the anti-tendulkar mania, we are yet to witness his peak
perhaps a pentuple century and overall test average of 60 and not to mention the longest career span of more than 31 years, that can answer the people like mark000 and all

POSTED BY
sachin.sss
on | October 15, 2010, 8:00 GMT

Usman Khan

Srinath cannot be compared to Wasim akram on any day of the week. Wasim is one of the great fast bowlers that India can only dream of having.

There might be some people in Pakistan who might think that Inzamam is better than Sachin. This never happens in India, no one will compare Srinath to Wasim, because people here do not issue blind statements :)

POSTED BY
Navillus
on | October 15, 2010, 7:59 GMT

@Usman : Hats off to you, dude ... great to see your comments

POSTED BY
mohsin9975
on | October 15, 2010, 7:40 GMT

Sachins test career(odi cricket is a different game altogether) has been consistent till 2008 without any outrageous matchwinning knock. Sach fans may argue his 136 vs pak was genius.It wud, had he seen india thru.Imagine had laxman not seen india thru in mohali, wud his 76 be considered a genius?Definitely not. It was just 70 odd,but still its a gem coz he saw india thru. But since last couple of years his matchwinning knocks hav doubled.His 103 vs eng was a gem.His 53 in 2nd gives more meaning to his double ton in 1st inng.Quality matters over quantity.The problem wid sachins other 100s is the manner in which he gets them.Ponting,lara,sehwag,waugh,laxman when they get 100s just dents the confidence of the opp bowlers and players. The self belief in opp is taken away.When these players get in their zone, they get ruthless and merciless. They ensure that the match is taken away from the opp.The opp is blown away.Sachs 100s dont really seem to make such impact.When he is in the zone, he doesnt go the full distance to take the opp out of the match.Bcoz of that,even when he is in his zone, bowlers believe they can hit back.And they invariably do.Even today if we r to chase down a target in last inng, we look to sehwag(even tho his 2nd inng avg is mediocre, opp fear him most), laxman or even dravid.If sachin does it we consider it a bonus.If he manages to change that image(hes shown signs in last 2 years) nd bring fear back in the minds of bowlers, like he did in his early odi career,he will b d greatest ever.Sach is one of the greatest of all time nevertheless.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 7:27 GMT

@havocsat: Hah I agree with you on that bro. Imagine Sachin and Dravid batting, and Wasim and Waqar bowling, for the same team...Sigh...

Lol no I didn't mean that Srinath thing literally. That was just to prove a point that there are unrealistic, extreme people on both sides of that border.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 7:08 GMT

Bradman played in the era when field were kept the same just to follow tradition rather than inventing new field positions.
There was no slow motion video analysis and no army of specialist tearing apart somebody's technique. bowling innovations like doosra, the carrom ball, reverse swing, etc were unheard of. They played one series in a year with a rest day in between the test matches.
Most of his runs were against the tried and tested opponent called England(5 test against india, 6 against windies, 5 against SA)
So Sir Bradman may have an average of 99 but he did not come up against the modern day greats.(Wasim Waqar Marshal Garner Ambrose Prassana Bedi Donald Kadir Mushtaq etc)
Lets not fight Bradman was the greatest of his era and Tendulkar is a great player of his and both are the greatest mankind has seen until now
To compare two era is completely different

Sailesh Varma - To be clear I stated Ponting captained and Kallis has over 250 wickets in tests, I know the records and obviously ponting is not a bowler. Sashin has done neither successfully. Comparing with the Don, analysis is better today but so are bats and bowler analysis and players are professional and wear helmets. How would Sachin have managed against Donald and Co without a helmet, he struggled with one, yet Bradman did well against Larwood and the rest.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 6:45 GMT

One thing i have noticed during tendulkar's career and India v Pakistan is you always felt that there was one man u could get dismissed and the match would be won....and tendulkar had that fear factor in the pakistani team as well that whenever hes around, India was still in the game. to a lesser extent, Inzi had the same effect for Indians I would think. Tendulkar's fitness, his bowling ability (which he gave up and I think if he hadnt bowled at all his batting would have been even better coz of the added concentration and focus into his batting in the nets and in the game) and his sportsmanship earns him an unrivalled record and career which is more than a dream come true. at 38, and looking in the best form of his life, the big question mark would be when he will retire ( i am sure he wants to go on given his consistent commitment to the side's fortune) but is the best still to come out of what is already the best? only time will tell

I am from india by the way, I doubt anyone from India is stupid enough to say such a thing. Now you might have some people in pakistan who might claim stupid statements stating that Inzamam is better than tendulkar. Luckily we do not have stupidity of that magnitude in India

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 6:24 GMT

Common guys.
Do you ever try to compare Newton with Einstein ? So why are you comparing Bradman with Sachin? Bradman was greatest in his own era. Sachin is great in this Era. :)

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 6:04 GMT

tendulkar really rocks when he is on the field and out the field as welll...... and his is just outstanding so its not surprising that he is the top batsman in the whole world.... he is a real hero for India... and he desreves to be there....

POSTED BY
batfry
on | October 15, 2010, 5:58 GMT

Considering their public persona, one can deduce quite accurately that both Sir Donald George Bradman (if he were alive today) and Mr Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar would be rather embarrassed by many of the comments here. I, for one, am just grateful that these mighty titans, among illustrious others, graced the cricket fields to make this game the graceful spectacle it is...

POSTED BY
geraldf
on | October 15, 2010, 5:45 GMT

People that are saying that Bradman's better than Sachin, just think about it. Mike Hussey had an average of over 80 after a few games. But look at his average now, its in the low 50s! I'm not saying that Bradman wasn't great, but if he played the same number of matches as Sachin against the same bowlers, his stats would look very different.

POSTED BY
fujisama
on | October 15, 2010, 5:28 GMT

Sachin is definitely one of the greatest cricketers of all time. It would be unfair to compare Sir Don and Sach. Wasim was and is still one of my favorite bowlers. Can't but imagine an Asian team which can boast of Wasim, Imran Kapil, Musthaq, Kumble wow...the possibilities and potential is incomprehensible

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 5:17 GMT

when he retire from cricket so that some youngster may get chance!!!!!!!!!!!!! old people should do it by them self to retain his self respect

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 5:17 GMT

@ Ramakrishna Kothapeta 'But 140000 runs I dont see any one near to it. b/c all who are close to 140000 runs will retire before Sachin'

You're bloody right aboout that one. 140,000 runs- i don't see even Sachin near it, even he'll retire before that :)

As for the debate, the comparisons are absurd.Also, as an Indian i find our obsession with 'greatest ever', 'best ever', 'best batsman of the world' a bit disappointing and highly insecure. Like yearning for recognition from foreign eyes. We don't need to reinforce what we believe and get everyone else to accept our opinions.
As for Sachin's greatness, no bigger tribute than TV sets switching off immediately after his dismissal. Sachin has always symbolised hope- now that's greatness no stat will show.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 5:15 GMT

KUMAR SANGAKKARA IS BETTER THAN SACHIN AND BRADMAN......

POSTED BY
har_123
on | October 15, 2010, 4:46 GMT

@lakmal - its obvious u cant digest sachins greatness. as far as ur argument of sachins batting against fast bowling is concerned. shoaib akhtar got the better of him one time. remember wt he did to shoaib in south africa in the world cup. for gods sake he got the highest runs in the world cup in south africa. he has scored 10 test centuries against australia and several big hundreds.he has scored centuries in south africa as well. sachins class is beyond comparison.i agree with usman and several others. bradman would have never had that average had he played on turning tracks in the sub continent. he played mostly against only 2 oppositions. he didnt have any injuries. no pressure of carrying billions of hopes. no one watched him playing on television. the bowling at his time was underarm. bradman was a great test cricket but sachin is the most complete cricketer of all time. no one has records like him. be it viv richards or garry sobbers.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 4:41 GMT

I dont think any one in this forum who is commenting about Bradman knows about the Body Line Series.

POSTED BY
Saosin
on | October 15, 2010, 4:34 GMT

Attention all rose-tinted biased supporters of Tendulkar. He's great, so is Jacques Kallis, Sangakkara, Ponting, Dravid, Jayawardena, S Waugh, Border, Gavaskar, Lara, Richards, G Smith. You can argue and split hairs on who is better from the list I provided, all with permissions and justifications, however you can't argue (with any rationale or logic) that he's even a cut above the players I mentioned, let alone call him the objectively best player in history. Bradman WILL ALWAYS be that man, no matter how much you want to try and deny it. Stats are the basis for analysis for ALL players, and Bradman's are around 80% higher in average than most other cricketers, and easily 60% higher than ANYONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME. This will NEVER GO AWAY, no matter how much Tendulkar has done in the last game. He's fantastic, no question, just to clarify for anyone who is uncertain, but so are all the others mentioned, who benefit from the same modern-day advancements as Tendulkar himself.

POSTED BY
cenitin
on | October 15, 2010, 4:32 GMT

@LakmalPhysics : Could you please do a favour to whole world and go check out the stats of Arvinda and Sachin outside the subcontinent ......if you don't know anything its better to be shut up .... I am Indian fan but a true cricket fan too..I agree Arvinda was a class batsman and in top 2 SL batsman but Sachin is different class altogether...he is much better than Arvinda...Also whole world knows where Sachin used to dispatch Shoaib's balls... Also I am not aware of any such comments from Wasim..And I personally saw some interviews from Wasim and from that I can say he is having greatest regards for Sachin....

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 4:28 GMT

were not there when bradman played.. now when u say subcontinent pitches are slow and all, u must not forget that the pitches also have variable bounce on the 4th and 5th day which was very evident even in this past test series, add to that the considerable reverse swing.. this is even more difficult than handling only the bouncy pitches of australia where it is much easier for the home team to play.. so dude, basically whilst bradman must be appreciated no doubt, sachin is the next best. and do not give these false reasons without proper knowledge... your best source of info is right here "CRICINFO".. check out the bowler's standards at the time of bradman and compare it with sachin, check out the variety of conditions sachin has played in (read: in all test playing nations i.e. 8-9 countries), and see bradman's record played only in australia and england, check out the various strenuous formats sachin has had to contend with including maximum ODI's, maximum tests and now even the IPL

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 4:27 GMT

Dear all,
Have you think about the time when Sir Donald Bradman in mordern cricket then the avverage of Bradman remains 99.96 in now a days?
I think never because in mordern day cricket with mordern technologies enables us to analyze batsman or bowler by different analytical way and find out weakness area and strong area then the all teams makes strategics against them to restrict them to give their best and out them cheaply.
So i think Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is the Greatest batsman in Cricket Ever.Greatest means GREATEST.GREATEST.GREATEST.GREATEST.GREATEST.GREATEST.

POSTED BY
Saosin
on | October 15, 2010, 4:27 GMT

@Shubhanshu Pal - OK dude, you need to calm down. Anyone who knows cricket properly, and isn't immature or contrarian will happily admit Tendulkar is a great batsman. Bradman was twice as good, and whilst unfair in certain degrees to cross-compare without restraint is inaccurate, Bradman's absurd numbers cannot be ignored, not matter how much you personally love Tendulkar. What also cannot be ignored is the fact that he sits around the top (only just) of a massive heap of players in the last decade which average comfortably over 50. Contrast that with the past, even say 80s and 90s, and its clear that he, along with everyone else in the club I just mentioned, is a beneficiary of modern technology relative to bats, the absurd 'roads' they play on in place of pitches (Bradman averaged 99.94 on uncovered goat mines), and Tendulkar doesn't stand out much at all among his modern day peers, let alone historically. Your personal fascination and bias for Tendulkar is just that.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 4:19 GMT

@sallu420... whilst i agree that bradman is the best, the reasons you have given for him to be better than sachin are ludicrous... firstly, there was no restriction in bowling bouncers at that time but at the same time there were not much bouncers bowled during that period.. further, there were no world class fast pace bowlers at that time either.. the only instance when the bouncers were used strategically against him was in the infamous bodyline series wherein even bradman cud manage an average in only the 50's.. secondly, the only world class fast bowlers at that time were playing for australia itslef.. the few that did play for england had their career very shortlived.. not much to be accounted for.. now do not forget that he played only in australia or england and nowhere else at all... this means he was very well adept to the conditions and add to that the mediocre bowling standards of the opposition. nowadays people have technology to find out batsman's smallest weaknesses which

POSTED BY
Rohan1
on | October 15, 2010, 4:19 GMT

Sometimes I just wish they would ban Pakistani's from the Tendulkar blogs...they are so narrow minded, and short sighted...and their anti tendulkar stance is so childish.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 4:02 GMT

Only word for Sachin "Greatest"

POSTED BY
Hindh
on | October 15, 2010, 4:02 GMT

INDIA the No 1 cricket team and SACHIN the best batsman .....
and a Grand CWG performance by Indian Athletes.....

POSTED BY
kapilesh23
on | October 15, 2010, 3:59 GMT

i think all this sachin haters comment on articles because they know that someone will respond to them .so i will request all members of my sachin lovers community to stop responding to them .it is of no use cause you are making them feel better about themselves that they made a worthwhile comment .yes this time sachin has done it and i will agree whatever is said good about sachin on this comments page .

POSTED BY
Gilliana
on | October 15, 2010, 3:57 GMT

I would love to see Pakistan back into contention. It's a shame that the BCCI has not offered any help or moral support to get them out of this mire.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 3:51 GMT

@LakmalPhysics... yes Sachin does have a low average of about 40 in south africa in test matches... so what??? Do you wants to say that that means he can't play good fast bowling??? Look at record of the Great Murali in india. He has horrible bowling average of 45.45 in 11 tests. In Australia his average is 75.41.in 5 tests. You can argue that in Australia conditions are not helpful for spin bowling but what about India where conditions are helpful for spin bowling?? Even tailenders of india have played him well. So does that mean he is not a great bowler??? And mind you if pitches in India are so good for batting then why sri lankan batsman have not been able to help even a single test match in India let alone a series?

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 3:45 GMT

Well said Usman Khan!! Its more like what (I think) Andy Flower once said, "There are good players, there are great players and there is Sachin Tendulkar". Even Sachin's one time contemporary acknowledges that is a league above others. Lets not waste our time in answering this so called dumb critics. Lets enjoy this great man's game as long as we get it.

POSTED BY
Rohan1
on | October 15, 2010, 3:44 GMT

The ONLY extended period of time( say 4 or more years) in which any of Tendulkar's contemporaries have bettered him was from 03-06 when Tendulkar was bust due to injuries. So, its simple really Tendulkar injured = others better. Tendulkar Fit = Simply the Best..........And guess what, to the anti tendulkar sods.....the Maestro is gonna keep piling on the runs.......get ready for much much more PAIN.!!! Ha, Ha ,Ha

POSTED BY
CricFan24
on | October 15, 2010, 3:40 GMT

When you considered overall records which include Tests and ODIs(which you must for modern day batsmen)Tendulkar now has a good claim to be alltime No.1

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 3:36 GMT

@ LakmalPhysics.... so sachin is not a good player of fast bowling??? i think u should get a mental check up... this guy who destroyed the four prolonged attack of McDermott, Hughes, Whitney and Reiffel that too at WACA perth i.e the fastest wicket in the world when his team was falling apart at the age of 18... this guy who Allan Donald says in his own words "By far the best I have seen or played against".... this guy whom Glenn Mcgrath says is best ( alongwith Lara )....this guy who destroyed Shoaib and pakistani bowling attack in most important match of his life (wc 2003) under tremendous pressure.....i think you should better read about legends of the game say about him.... Sachin vs Sangakkara??? Pah not even in your dreams, only a fanatic biased fan from sri lanka would think about that comparison.

POSTED BY
Indus11
on | October 15, 2010, 3:30 GMT

IndoPak Team: I often read both Indian and Pak supporters lamenting what an unbeatable team the two countries would have produced had it remained one country - This something I too thought back in the 70s - but alas I have changed my mind for the simple reason that most of the Pak players may never have had the opportunity to actual play for an Indian team. Think about it -there are more Moslems in India than there are in Pakistan. How many opportunities do these players get to play for their provincial teams let alone the national side? In all honesty - are there not a whole generation of Moslems in India that are treated like second (third ?) class citizens - I have certainly met many who do not have the courage to voice their feelings - in many areas of life in India. Indeed the great Jaswant Singh has often said the same - look him up on You Tube. There would never have been an Imran Khan in an all consuming India that was run inequitably by Hindhus in majority. Hence Pakistan !

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 3:21 GMT

There are a lot of talented batsmen around, perhaps even more talented than Sachin or Ponting. I think, during the first 12-15 years of his career, Tendulkar's talent won him many accolades. But, for a brief moment, may be a couple of years after that, right around 2006-2007, was when Sachin's injuries started troubling him, people started questioning his role and presence in the team and I also read Ian Chappell reckoning that Sachin should be out of the team (http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/287897.html). However, the last 3 years of his career has made most of his critics wonder in awe, for it isn't just talent anymore, but his work ethics combined with passion for the game has made us stand-up and applaud his performance. Most of us, irrespective of the kind of job we do, loose the enthusiasm for it over time, not this man though. Greatest player or not, like Harsha once said "When Sachin comes out to bat, billions switch on the TV and turn-off their lives".

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 3:17 GMT

@ Mark00: Dude, I can't stop laughing about your comments. I mean, see your logic behind your comments. The comments you are saying silly is of the time when he was retired and already established in the international commentary team. two things from your comment: " trying to become an Indian movie star" and "signed and written statement" are the things which even a three year old wouldn't claim of. I mean who the hell in this world would sign the comments about the most difficult batsman he has ever bowled to. It's like saying something on gun's point. And, why would a star need to become an star? He was never interested in movies and even, if he wanted, he could have worked in any film he wanted coz of his status. Regarding SBW, there is no law in cricket which can rule out anyone on this basis so it was Harper's fault of which he apologized later. No one else is given SBW as it's just not in the law.

POSTED BY
zxaar
on | October 15, 2010, 3:14 GMT

@LakmalPhysics " Now about Sachin , he is playing well in subcontinent on medium pace wickets. He can not perform like this on pacy wickets like in Australia or South Africa." ------------------ you are confusing sachin with another sri lankan batsman. Sachin averages 62 in England, 58 in Aus, 40 in SA and 50 in New zealand. He is no sangakkara or jayawardhane in case you are mistaking him for them. Further about shoab akhtar needed only one ball to get sachin out. All bowlers only need 1 ball to get batsman out. Nothing great in it. Sachin has smashed him around the park for all the other deliveries. Even when bradman scored 0 in last innings bowler needed only 1 ball to get him out. Does belittle bradman's stature though. No-one knows who that bowler was. Got the point.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 3:13 GMT

@Sallu420- There is no doubt that Sachin is the best player of any era. Boss, you are looking at a man who has hit 49 centuries and Bradman has never played in India to show his potential.

If bradman had played 171 tests, his average would have been much lesser. Sachin has been carrying the hopes of 1 Billion Indians and How can you compare it with Bradman?

Please be careful in what you post

POSTED BY
hamz501
on | October 15, 2010, 2:35 GMT

Sachin is amazing, and now apart from being amazed at his talent, we can also be amazed at his longevity. I mean think about it, i believe the guy debuted in 1989. I dont understand this whole comparison between tendulkar and Bradman. Why is there a tendulkar vs bradman, debate in every Tendulkar article? Anyways for my two cents, i believe tendulkar is a better batsman than bradman, in fact, i believe most of the modern greats(Lara, Richards, Ponting, Sehwag etc) are better batsman than Bradman. Why you ask? Its simple, they play better oppositions. Bowlers were not as quick, nor as skilled back in bradmans day(No reverse swing, doosras etc). Also didnt bradman, play against like 2 teams? No doubt he was a great of his time, but players from the 30-40 cannot compete with the players of the current generation. Its a fact that athletes now a days are bigger, faster, stronger, better reflexes, better understanding of their individual sport then athletes from the 40's.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 2:12 GMT

But people have know that bradman doesn't have fielders like jonty rhodes ,ponting,gibbs,devilliars,clarke,symonds etc to stop the runs n boundaries.Fielders doesn't care about stopping runs even in gavaskar's era, which means if you touch the ball with bat there was def runs.But in sachins time yes bowling becomes weak n have helmets but fielding standards are increased day by day n the runs hard to come.So sachin is master of modern game.when people want to analyze they have analyze every aspect of the game not just batting n bowling there is fielding too which make big difference

POSTED BY
kingkarthik
on | October 15, 2010, 1:41 GMT

@LakmalPhysics: Did you do a analysis on how much runs Sachin has scored in Australia and England? Now do those countries not have faster wickets? Don't make statement which can not be backed up. Half the runs Sangakarra has scored are when the match was well and truely lost. He simply threw the bat to inflate his score. The other 2 Sri Lankan "Champions" Mahela and Thilan, now if we remove the SSC and Galle ground would be worse than the players who play one bump cricket in my street. By the way, how many times has Shoaib Akthar gotten Sachin out? Just because he get Sachin a couple of times, it does not mean anything. Sri Lanka can not even come close to winning a test, leave alone a test series in Australia and India. Pretty pathetic.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 0:59 GMT

@Lakmalphysics..u make me laugh man...check out sanga's and sachins record outside respective home gounds..:) and worst part abt sanga is that hes a hypocrite.. it is all right for sanga to be in #2 without winning a test in top test countries but rants abt india..SL team ranted abt super sub wen they found it diff now passing judgement on Ind for UDRs get a life :)

POSTED BY
SnowSnake
on | October 15, 2010, 0:41 GMT

Holy crap, if you look at Bradman's statistics. He had only hit 6 sixes in tests for his entire career. No mention of number of 4's. There is no mention of his strike rate. I think Bradman made his average of 99.94 at a strike rate of 30% or lower. With those kind of strike rates, Bradman will put people to sleep in modern day cricket. On number of sixes per innings, Bradman may be the most incompetent cricketer. Not much statistics is available on Bradman, so it is easy to make him look good with only available statistic of his average.

POSTED BY
on | October 15, 2010, 0:40 GMT

@ lakmal physics watch in youtube Sachin 169 vs south africa at cape town and also a similar innings at Blomfentein. I wonder if Sanga or Aravinda can ever play such type of innings. Oh i forgot at 17 he also made a 100 against Australia at Perth

POSTED BY
Indus11
on | October 15, 2010, 0:33 GMT

It is the same with the all time ranking of Bowlers: Here is what I picked up at an ESPN ICC site: These are supposed to be the best all time bowlers: (1) Sydney Barnes 932 (2) George Lohmann 931 (3) Imran Khan 922 (4) Glenn McGrath 914 (5) Curtly Ambrose 912 (6) Ian Botham 911 (7) Malcolm Marshall 910 (8) Richard Hadlee 909 (8) Waqar Younis 909 (8) Shaun Pollock 909

Who can - in all honesty recall who Sydney Barnes was and George Lohman were ? When did they play - some 200 years ago? Are their achievements even relevant today? And wehre is Dennis Lilee in that mix? I got this from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_bowling

POSTED BY
SnowSnake
on | October 15, 2010, 0:33 GMT

@Usman Khan: I don't think any Indian I know of considers any of Indian fast bowlers better than Wasim, Aktar or Imran Khan. Personally, I think Pak. fast bowlers were the best fast bowlers. The only others I may consider best are a few west indian, Australian (Thomson, Lillie, McGrath, Lee), England (Botham, Bob Willis and a guy who retired recently), NZ (Bond, Hadlee), SA (Pollock and Steyn). I don't think any of Indian fast bowlers will fall into the league of bowlers that I have mentioned.

POSTED BY
nlambda
on | October 14, 2010, 23:57 GMT

@Usman: I made that remark out of irritation about many Pak fans repeatedly rubbishing SRT. Read the comments section of both the article about SRT winning the ICC player of the year, and the article about ESPN selecting all time world XI, and you will see what I mean. Anyway, appreciate your remarks. Also, I do not know of any Indian ever claiming Srinath to be a better bowler than Akram. Pretty much the only thing Srinath accomplished which Akram to my knowledge did not was binging Allan Border straight in the box in front of a full house in Melbourne.

- All time greats of their respective eras. It is difficult to compare any of them based on any statistics.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 23:54 GMT

Tendulkar no doubt is a very good batsman but the notion of T being the greatest god ever of test cricket is the biggest joke around. One knows beforehand that there is going to be an Indian bias in these posts so no surprise. Lately he has been scoring lots of runs and so one has to give him credit and congrats for regaining the no 1 ranking. I am a WI and I will tell you that Ten. is no better than Lara and whilst Lara was a player T was NEVER above Lara in the world rankings. World cricket has NEVER recognized Lara for what he has done and really is(T haters!! world cricket on the whole is a Lara hater). Lara was the fastest to 11000, has world records all over, single handedly won matches, started playing test cricket at an older age and retired before T. Lara still around would have gotten (14000) easily. Lara dominates bowling, Tendulkar accumulates runs(even Steve Waugh could do that). Just ask Murli(double and century in one test). Dont conveniently forget cricket history!

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 23:47 GMT

@LakmalPhysics sanga..who?...dude you are saying sachin cannot perform down under..well he has 6 test centuries against australia in australia....now you're comparing him with sangakara and de silva , who with all the talent struggled to keep his average above 40, thaz a bit disgrace. Anyways i can understand this coming from fan of a team who hasn't been able to win a single test in India, S.Africa and Australia......in their damn HISTORY...COME TO SENSE DUDE

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 23:42 GMT

Hey Sallu420, there is no point in comparing Bradman and Sachin. You cant say because of wearing helmets/protection, scoring runs are easy... If thats the case, there is no technology for bowlers to review batsman weakness, how he plays etc. In the modern era, every bowler go through the batsmen video tapes before the play and that cause some challenges to modern batsmen. So, best thing to says, just appreciate the legends of old times and modern times.

POSTED BY
MrGP
on | October 14, 2010, 23:25 GMT

SIR don was great and SACHIN is great...

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 23:06 GMT

@Mark
Are you kidding me mate? The recently concluded series in India(the one in which Aussies got whitewashed) there was a lot of reverse wing on offer. Shoulder before wicket was a controversy i I am not wrong given by a moronic umpire who was dis-honourably dismissed from the ICC's panel of umpires. And for your info Ponting averages a legendary 25+ in India vs Sachin who averages in the mid 40's. Another testimony to Ponting's greatness is that he has never won a test in India and has the disctinction of getting white-washed for the first time in 30 years. He truly is a class apart!
Sachin had to endure two days of it in Bangalore to get his 6th double ton. It is difficult to rate Bradman vs Sachin but I think Sachin wins. The reason 9 of the top 10 wicket takers of all time(in tests) are of the current era and the fact that he has scored so many runs against them testifies his greatness.

POSTED BY
Runster1
on | October 14, 2010, 23:03 GMT

Sachin will be BETTER than bradman anyday. Today, it is a lot harder: more forms of cricket, more cricket; more chance for injuries etc. Today, other teams analyse player's every move and weaknesses. Bradman only played 50 TESTS!!!! Many people admire sachin... Sachin is ither the SAME as bradman or BETTER.

POSTED BY
rahulStillHeaded
on | October 14, 2010, 22:06 GMT

Friends, why do we have this over-whelming desire to compare, I don't know. When even Sachin himself is not interested in these kind of comparisons, then what's the point of this exercise. We all just want to fuel our own ego by these stupid arguments and as a result instead of enjoying the great batting of our beloved Sachin, we are wasting our time in fighting with others.

So, guys just chill and enjoy the art by a great artist.

And please, no one can compare arts. They are there to enjoy, not compare. Comparing them is plain ignorance and stupidity.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 21:55 GMT

@ sallu420 : you said it all, that time pitches were uncovered and probably bowlers were like local boys or at best bowling at the same speed as Kumble or Afridi, no professional cricket right ? Tell me a name of the bowler who bowled at Don and let see how was he. So nobody taking away Don's achievements, probably if he would played in this era might not have same average.My moral, statistics Sachin is the greatest batsmen of all time. There is a fine line between good and great and players like ponting, Dravid, Inzy , Javed are on the other side of the line.

POSTED BY
thenkabail
on | October 14, 2010, 21:53 GMT

SACHIN GREATEST AFTER BRADMAN: There is no dount that Sachin is the greatest batsman ever after Bradman. Bradman averaged 40 runs higher than any of his contemporary batsmen and that is phenomenal. Sachin, ofcouse, has no comparison except bradman. Years 2009-2010 is re-birth for Sachin on old. He is not only a great batsman, but a great human being.

POSTED BY
brohitb
on | October 14, 2010, 21:28 GMT

@lakmalPhysics ...... man how ca u compare the THE great Aravinda to sachin .....i would say even thilan thushara, chamaras (silva nd kapugedra) are better ... HUH ... at least make some good use of life & learn using statsguru ... avg app 40 in SA ..... 53 in Australia... oops ... they have slow wickets i gues.... BTW whats the breakup of avg for THE ARAVINDA

POSTED BY
nkv_cricfan
on | October 14, 2010, 21:23 GMT

Some of middle age people whom have come across say "they have seen cricket for long time from 80's onwards and they have not come across anyone like tendulkar". They say he is born to play cricket.
He is the one of the best batsman the world has ever seen. His commitment and calmness makes him different from others. In his 21 years of his cricket he has never proved anything anywhere else except for cricket. Away from controversies and fights he never went above the rules of cricket unlike many other cricketers. He has adapted to the changing trends of the cricket over years. This year he has proven himself as the little master with deep understanding towards cricket. He is truly a gentleman and definitely a Legend.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 21:17 GMT

Let go of all the hate....as a player....Sachin's King..greatest batsman to have ver palyed the game...there wont be any liek him again...thts for sure!

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 21:04 GMT

Tendulkar took the ball from Azhar and Kapil in Hero Cup Semifinal and bowled the last over and did not let South Africa to score 6 runs to win the match. Just imagine if those runs were scored. Public and Media of India would have definitely gone after the little master. And if that's not enough he is partially playing a role of mentor/coach of Indian Cricket Team.

Finally, its unfair to compare the two batsmen of different era but then it would also be unfair to call Sir Don as the greatest batsmen of "all times".

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 21:03 GMT

i dont know y people have to compare sachin with bradman... both are gud in their own right.... those who talk about bradman having it easy as he only played against england and south africa should remember that those conditions were same for every batsman in that era but how many averaged 100 except bradman??? none!!! and those who say sachin never batted well under pressure shud remember that india is only under pressure when sachin gets out!!!! especially in the 1990s!!! all the dravids, sehwags and others have one comforting feeling that sachin is still there while sachin never had that feeling untill these guys started performing well... which was only last 5 or 6 years otherwise for 15 years he was the lone stalwart!!! he is the BEST

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 21:02 GMT

True that the average of 99.94 is considered to be top achievement in any sport statistically, however Cricket is not just a game of averages. There are many other things which should be consider like the standard of playing cricket. Nowadays so much of technology is used so that you can take out weak areas of a particular player. The standard of fielding is just too good. The Media hype and pressure is so much. Lots of cricket played, scoring in every part of the world. Sachin not only plays role in batting but also in many other areas like Sachin can spin the bowl like Shane Warne, Sachin is never afraid of taking responsibilities...........TO BE CONT'D......

POSTED BY
reyme
on | October 14, 2010, 21:02 GMT

Sachin showed it! A true legend. But I am disappointed to see Tamim Iqbal from Bangladesh is not in Top 10.

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 21:00 GMT

5.Technology
In Bradman's time it was not easy to pick one's weakness just standing at slips or point. That's why Jardine had to use the theory of bowling on chest height to stop Bradman from scoring runs. Its true that then there was no such equipment like helmet, arm-guards to save you but then apart from Bodyline series there were no such instance where batsmen had to really save themselves from truly fast bowling. Interestingly, though Sachin plays few shots in the air when he tries to play drives on rising delivery (thanks to Today's technology) and many captain tried to get his wicket at the early part of his innings, Nasser Hussain tried something different to get his wicket, by not letting him to score freely against his bowlers (though Sachin still had the second best strike rate after Sehwag in that series for India).............TO BE CONT'D............

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 20:58 GMT

Excluding Larwood Bradman never played any quality bowlers. (and the other 2 were CV Grimmett & RR Lindwall, who belong to his own country) He never played against a bowler who bowls something like 160kmph+ on hard fast pitch where batsman hardly gets a chance to think of what should be played, whereas Sachin played against Ambrose-Walsh-Bishop, Wasim-Waqar-Akhtar, McGrath-Lee-Gilespie, Donald-Pollock, Warne-Murli and many more. The swing was unknown during that time, Sachin has to play reverse swing, which was no one could even imagined.

The fielder shattering stumps from the boundary was unheard in Bradman's time. Just see the class of fielding nowadays, Rhodes, Ponting, Gibbs. The standard of fielding is far much better than it was in that time!.......TO BE CONT'D.......

POSTED BY
Predator89
on | October 14, 2010, 20:55 GMT

NUMBER ONE hell yeah !!!!! finaaly someone who deserves to be no 1 steps in the ranking .Tendulkar is the best of all times no doubt in that. Bradman is one of the best not the best . come on guys stop ur silly average point has he played for 20 yrs in all format of the game with such a schedule where u find no space to breath.@xjosephjacob:well said :) Mark00 : Better u watch cricket before commenting...@ batmannrobin:you NAILED him :)

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 20:51 GMT

4.Opposition
Bradman played mostly against England and he got used to that bowling thats why scored over 5000 runs with an average of around 92. One series against each minnows [India, SouthAfrica and WestIndies were new in cricket that time] and scored heavily against them. Never played in Indian Sub-Continent against Indian spinners. Playing at Indian pitches is never been easy for any batsman.Nowdays Australian thinks Ricky Ponting is the best batsman after Bradman from Australia. Look his record in India! Sachin's average in Australia is above 54. A batsman is perfect when he scores against really class bowlings........TO BE CONT'D.........

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 20:48 GMT

3.Position of Batting
Bradman usually came at no.3 or no.4 and mostly when the score were 176 for 1 or 217 for 2. No pressure!! Just play the natural game and dominated the bowling. Unlike Sachin, Bradman had some really good openers from the start of his career. Woodfull & Ponsford had career average of 45+, Sachin usually came at no.4 & mostly when India lost both the openers with the scoreboard reading something 20-2!!! And then this best batsman of all time rescues the team. In Onedayers Sachin opens and starts blazing guns from the beginning and then steady in middle overs and again all guns blazing in last 10 overs. And at 37, if you are still able to do after playing 20 years, then it's surely a remarkable thing !.........TO BE CONT'D.........

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 20:45 GMT

After every ball you have to look at the score board, have to accelerate anytime in the innings many times from the beginning, pressure with no rest virtually ! Though he's is playing T-20 also at domestic level, but T-20 is just not the cricket. (You don't have plan when you go out to bat, just go and hit). It is because of the no. of Tests played now that we can note a remarkable achievement from Sachin who had already scored 24 Test hundreds before his 28th birthday. This in no way undermines Bradman's score of amassing whopping 452 runs in just 415 minutes!!! But that was precisely because the over rates during that time were far superior than now...................TO BE CONT'D.......

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 20:41 GMT

2.Fitness
Bradman played 52 tests in 20 years whereas Sachin has played 162 tests in 20 years. In Bradman's time not many matches were played. Players easily got 7-8 days of gap in between 2 tests of a series. In one year only 4-5 tests were played. There were no one dayers. Nowadays there are too much of ODI's. Once a series starts, you don't get any chance to take rest. 5 ODI get completed in 12-13 days and as soon as ODI series is over, the Test series starts and between tests only 3 days of gap. No rest for players & they have to play each test and ODI. In Bradman's times you could get 7-8 days for rest & not only that, Bradman played some tests which were of just 3 days, and in almost every test he played, there was a rest day in between, so fitness level and total numbers of matches 4-5 and look at today's cricket, atleast 10 Tests and 30 ODIs each year and in ODI's you just can't play cricket with peace at all.....TO BE CONT'D.......

POSTED BY
Godfather007
on | October 14, 2010, 20:37 GMT

1.Pressure
Tendulkar plays under huge pressure. 1 billion+ people expecting you to perform in each and every match. To perform consistently well for 20 years as per expectations is just Brilliant! Bradman never had such pressure in his whole career apart from bodyline series and in his last innings against England. And just look what pressure can do. His average which was usually over 100 in maximum series came down to just 52 in bodyline series. When the whole world was watching him to score just 4 runs in his last innings he couldn't even score those runs. This is what pressure is all about. And Tendulkar goes through such pressure in each every match. Even the matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. With one failure public, media, everyone in India starts criticizing the Greats of Indian cricket. Still he is performing consistently. Isn't this amazing?

POSTED BY
mits6
on | October 14, 2010, 20:34 GMT

@ lakmal ........lara has an average of 34.55 against india ( 33 in india & 35 in WI) does it mean that he was a bad player of spinners & medium pacers??????
similarly sachin' s low average against SA does not mean that he is bad on pacy wickets

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 20:30 GMT

One thing that I wanna say is that .dudes who are speaking that bradman is the best and sachin is not the greatest and one amongst the greatest ...I wanna say that how many of them have actually seen him battin in the crease ....or are there any footages left that have bradmans batting..How many of them were actually born in the era were bradman used to bat in the test matches where there are unlimited number of days.......I have seen sachin tendulkar from my childhood when I am in 3 rd standard..sachin has played in each and every continent and played superb knocks against each and every country....Bradman played in an era where cricket was played by only (mostly) 3 countries...eng,west indies...He never played on any one our Indian pitches...but sachin played on australian pitcher played in Ss...which includes perth..and also sydney which ...Bradman never played in SA BUT sachin played gem of innings there...Bradman may be top in his era but be in present folks

POSTED BY
ProdigyA
on | October 14, 2010, 20:29 GMT

I dont care if Sachin is the better than bradman or whoever, all i care is he is a true legend, who bring happiness to millions of faces across the world. To all the anti-tendulkars - he is a living legend, cry how much u may, he will continue to score, continue to entertain us. Another point i would like to make, if though im not from mumbai, im one of those many who cheered for mumbai and wanted mumbai to win whenever it played, why? - just to see a smile on the face of the legend. WE SALUTE YOU SIR & GOD BLESS YOU.

POSTED BY
mits6
on | October 14, 2010, 20:17 GMT

names i mentioned in in my previous comment is not to make any comparisons ,but to make my point clear

POSTED BY
mits6
on | October 14, 2010, 20:06 GMT

@lakmal physics U mentioned pacy wickets, go & see tendulkar records in australia (where SL & their so called players of pace badly failed to score) , england & west indies . The only place that everyone like to mention that of south africa ........please see his performance in 2003 world cup, & against the then best attack of wasim, wakar, akhtar..............even allan donald the best SA pace bowler in 90's say of him 'the best batsman he has bowled against'
( http://www.cricinfo.com/sachinat20/content/story/434423.html )
bradman was no mad to include him in his dream team above de silva , lara etc.

POSTED BY
vipin.chaudhary2325
on | October 14, 2010, 20:01 GMT

nice to see for second time in 21 years, dat sachin won the match in 4th innings for India, and raising the bat... 1 half century in 4th innings is as equal to century in 1st innings... but unfortunately, sachin dosen't average best in 4th innings, neither he have played match winning innings in 4th innings, apart from 136 against pakistan in loosing cause... and 1 century against England in win in 2008. and this half-century against australia..... its a great feeling any cricketer can have, when he make last runs in 4th innings and help in winning the match.... congrats sachin ramesh rendulkar... hope u play for 2 more years!!!

POSTED BY
tendlya14
on | October 14, 2010, 19:51 GMT

@LakmalPhysics....dude...who are u kidding??...have u been born in this planet??...Tendulkar did fail in that south african series bcoz tht was his first test series after injuries....he has since hit 2 150's in australia...three nineties in england ...and he has destroyed better bowlers than dale steyn...Steyn had his hands on his head during Sachins 200....wasim akram got the beating of his life in the 2003 world cup in 'fast and pacy pitches of south africa'....shoaib akthar also got hit for 18 runs in the first over itself....your sangakkara is crap outside sri lanka with a few flash in the pan innings in australia....dunno where u get ur stats from...for gudness sakes, check cricinfo's stat guru....the best way to judge sachin over time.....Lara faded in his thirties...so did viv richards, ponting....every1...But sachin is still HERE....open ur eyes dude....'HE"S STILL HERE' nd STILL doin BEtter than lara ponting and aany1 else u wnt to name...

POSTED BY
Ashu123
on | October 14, 2010, 19:41 GMT

@lakmalphysics then explain me why sachin as such a good record against Aus. not just the recent test but he has scored hundreds against them in aus too. unless if you think Aus bowlers are not fast.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 19:36 GMT

Sachin is my best batsmen since I started watching cricket. With the logical mind of current century I can confidently say that no batsmen could have achieved anything closer to what Sachin has done. Every time I see sachin gets out I think he should be making a certain change to his batting style. I can say this with the comfort of my couch and teliveision, but Sachin makes those changes every time and he does even more. He has always exceeded my expectations not for 1 or 2 seasons but since I started watching Cricket. Even with Sehwag around these day, Sachin gives me more goose bumps than ever before. Do you think it just blind fan following? No its because of his strong work ethic and unmatchable cricketing skills and intelligence.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 19:35 GMT

Scoring bulk of runs in favourable conditions like vs BD, vs SL without Murlli, vs Australia against Hauritz (below international standard) not a big deal, he may be scoring vs NZ as he is playing at home & NZ don't have any great bowler... but I would love to see him on a bouncy SA track against Morkel and Styn.. lets wait and see

He has 14k runs .... but has also played 171 tests , Ricky is 2000 behaind and played 148, the difference is 21, you can count the difference, ask tendu to stop play for 23 tests and then..... but why should he stop, he will never ever even against this minnow NZ or BD or Zim, he will not miss a single test, afterall he is record maker :)

POSTED BY
aseempandey1990
on | October 14, 2010, 19:18 GMT

@Mark00
You talking about the comments and appraisals NOT made...haha that's funny..
so just because wasim once forgot to mention sachin smwhere means martin crowe and desilva are better. that's funny..anyways..have a look at this link
http://sachinandcritics.com/quotes_on_sachin.php

and do read the last one.

POSTED BY
vish2020
on | October 14, 2010, 19:15 GMT

In the world of the almighty, things always come back to the normal form..it might go here and there but it always comes back and so has the master arrived again! Long and successful stay to the master!!

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 19:03 GMT

Sachin Is the Greatest Bats Man Of all time. His records speaks. He is Greater than DON Bradman just bcoz the conditions and the bowlers sachin has played against. if Bradman had played in this era his average would may be just 50. modern cricket has developed with technology, there are so many technologies to analyze any batsman or bowler, to find out their weak points. and they never end longer. Sachin is a best thats why he could survive all these odds. His record speaks. Guess If one Batsman Has Faced WLSH, Abroose,mcgrath, Wasim, Imran, waqar, Warne, Murali,Pollack, Donald, Just name the greatest bowlers , and i say he played well.

POSTED BY
Vilander
on | October 14, 2010, 18:58 GMT

@ Mark00 , buddy wrong time to sully the genius. He is crossing 900 this time, hehe oh he sure is, next come the black caps he will so destroy them boy i think there could be an other double there. Then the real test in SA.

Sachin cross 930 !!! cross it..cross it...damn

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 18:56 GMT

bossssssssssss!!!!!...............alwayz

POSTED BY
havocsat
on | October 14, 2010, 18:49 GMT

Usman khan bhai just to clarify... nobody in India thinks srinath was better than wasim... lets just acknowledge the talent and greatness of individual cricketers from what essentially is the same country unfortunately divided by history n politicians... the other teams would have had a real honest to God tough time over the years beating a combined team from our countries unquestionably... !!!

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 18:47 GMT

Sachin may be called a complete package from where you can read a chapter..not only in cricket but also outside that...He can teach you discipline,punctuality..Don't forget he played for India, not for a regular champion team..You can select any aspect of cricket..Defense,attack..he is the ultimatum...He is the best batsman ever..there should not be any doubt for that........

POSTED BY
sallu420
on | October 14, 2010, 18:44 GMT

Well sachin is no doubt is really good batsmen. But hes not better than bradman beacause at that time the pitches were uncoverd and the batsmen didint wear much protection not even helmets. The bowlers were allowed to bowl as many bouncers as they wanted and directed at the batsmen body. Now a days u can only bowl one bouncer and the pitches are much much slower so batsmen have all the time in the world to adjust to pace. Sachin plays spin very well but then all subcontent batsmen do its in their genes. SO bradman is the best.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 18:44 GMT

@Rohan1:Well said man..I also feel these men just do their works all the day(though sometime I wonder they have it or not) and sit in front their computer screen and write something against the GOD.Tendulkar is not only greatest in the field he is greatest outside that too.Ponting has not faced McGrath,Shane Warn..Lara hasn't faced bowlers like Ambross etc..If Sachin played against Srinath, Prasad and Agarkar I don't know where his runs would have been.I have also doubts if Bradman had to play ODI and T20 simultaneously with a tennis elbow and the modern technologies it would have been interesting to see how he managed..Sachin is out of discussion..it's worthless to talk with these Anti-tendulkar guys..the consistency and discipline he showed in cricket and his personal life..I can easily say...He, himself is the GOD.........

POSTED BY
nivek123
on | October 14, 2010, 18:41 GMT

@Mark00.. Dude you are so obviously a Sachin hater. Its evident from all the comments you post on articles concerning Sachin. BTW Wasim said that Martin Crowe was the most difficult batsmen. He never mentioned Lara or Dravid. Check out Lara's record against Wasim and Waqar. Averages 31 in matches with them with no century. Sachin averages a respectable 41 with two centuries.
@Usman Khan.. Yeah we also have a lot of these ultra nationalists on our side too. But they seem to be the minority on both sides.
Cheers.

POSTED BY
passionate_cricket_follower
on | October 14, 2010, 18:40 GMT

the only thing which is left for him is to win a world cup for India. i'm sure he'd leave no stone unturned to achieve that this time around.

POSTED BY
spprivate
on | October 14, 2010, 18:39 GMT

Agree with Usman.No need to pull politics in sports.No one can deny the fact that Wasim is a legend of bowling as to Sachin in batting.Somehow nationality and the so called narrow minded patriotism make people blind.I am an Indian bt I love Cricket.

POSTED BY
havocsat
on | October 14, 2010, 18:35 GMT

Ricky Ponting issued a statement," God has sent me on Earth to teach people how to bat"... hmm... when queried about this Sachin issued a statement, "No... i have never sent anyone... " :-)

POSTED BY
LakmalPhysics
on | October 14, 2010, 18:31 GMT

@MiddleStump: Well, One thing is clear, that is you hate Sangakkara and Sri Lankan Cricket. Sangakkara's comment on ICC rankings helped everyone to understand the method behind the ICC rankings. Now about Sachin , he is playing well in subcontinent on medium pace wickets. He can not perform like this on pacy wickets like in Australia or South Africa. Remember last South Africans tour in india. He had no answers against Dale Steyn in the first test and SA won the match. I agree with Wasim Akram's statement, Sachin is not a good player against fast bowlers. Shoaib Akthar needed only a single delivery to get this Master's wicket. Sangakkara is better than Sachin on that. On the otherhand, Aravinda De Silva is the best against pacy bowlers.

POSTED BY
undertakerjohncena
on | October 14, 2010, 18:29 GMT

Usman Bhai...u r simply awesome in ur stats....not only about sachin...but about Wasim... i am a guy from india who would luv to c pakistan comming back to form...

POSTED BY
SnowSnake
on | October 14, 2010, 18:24 GMT

I would never compare Don vs. Tendulkar. Things are so different and any comparisons would be silly. During Don days, there were no helmets, so his acheivements would be great indeed. However, test matches during those days had rest days, which helped players recover. Tests were played few and far in between. There were no ODIs, no T20s, and sometimes tests were timeless, which allows for high scoring. Also, Don did not play 170 tests. Who knows what his average might have been? Sachin is great for his endurance and versatility. He has performed well in all formats of the game and for really long time. Also, he has played the most tests that any player in the history of the game. Don may have the average on his side, but Sachin has total runs on his side. Don's innings avg. record would be difficult to break, and Sachin's total tests+ODI century record will also stand the test of time. Both are great in their own right.

POSTED BY
batmannrobin
on | October 14, 2010, 18:20 GMT

@Mark00-Sour grapes..Amusing - wasim made sense when he said something which u approve of and he was trying 2 b an Indian movie star when u dont approve of?Several other gr8s - Sir Don, Sir Hadlee, Sir Viv Richards,Sir Sobers, Shane Warne, Allan Donald, Steve Waugh, Muralidharan, Gavaskar, n many others - the space is too less to mention all their names - all have somethin to say abt Sachin - Wud help if u can read them too.The former cricketer - u mention abt - is probably looking into d mirrow now and saying 'Mirror on the wall , mirror on the wall - did i make a huge blunder asking Sachin to retire 4 yrs back " and the answer wud be "Yes - u did. A huge huge blunder indeed ". n btw the former cricketer has 5000+ runs @ 42..n Sachin 14000 @ 57. Period . The former cricketer was a decent cricketer.tats it n has no credentials 2 ask sachin 2 quit .Sachin - Take a bow -The master ! He thrashed d Aussies in 98 n thrashed them again in 2010 !! If u cant digest it- well good luck :

POSTED BY
Harvey
on | October 14, 2010, 18:10 GMT

@ MandarJoshi - If Bradman had toured the subcontinent, his batting average would almost certainly have been higher than 100, not lower! Also, when making comparisons it should not be forgotten that Sachin has never had to cope with some of the difficult conditions Bradman would have had to deal with as a result of uncovered pitches. Something that hasn't been mentioned here is the fact that Bradman lost what might well have been the best years of his career to WW2! I accept that batting averages don't tell the whole story of a player's greatness, but although I think Sachin is a great player by anyone's standards, I don't think he's the best there has ever been.

POSTED BY
iatkitty
on | October 14, 2010, 18:10 GMT

Due respect to DoN, but how many runs did he run by his own and for his co-batsmen? How many countries he played in? How many different pitches he played in?How many opponent countries he played against? How many formats of cricket he played? How many years he played?

You can write all the answers in one line max one page...But if anyone start answering the above questions for Sachin it takes lines, pages as he dominated every country, he ran for every other batsmen nearly 35K runs for him and some more for the non-strikers for 21years, he faced all kinds balls(recent ball by George) that cricket has ever produced in the history, he played no he dominated every format of the cricket and what else we need him to describe the most/best for him?

Confidently anyone can say there is no batsmen in the world to handle so much pressure like him.

How many aussies said DON is the role model for them? Bur many from IND as well as other contries proudly say The Master is the ROLE model for them

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 18:04 GMT

@ popcorn :: Why is he popping-up so much?

"BCCI … adopt the UDRS"
Is there anything wrong in expressing? I thought we as an individual or an Organization have the right to express our thought! Can't help it, if BCCI is too STRONG for all other Cricket Boards or even ICC.

"To me, and … Mohali Test, not India."
Oh Come-on, show some respect to the Knowledgeable Cricketers! And, you know what - there are no ifs and buts in life.

"India is not … a series abroad."
This is the PRIME reason why I was asking you to show some respect to the Knowledgeable Cricketers! … I don't need to provide you with stats. Hey, but I do have a suggestion -feel free to post a request for how to use the Stats feature of CricInfo on this forum and you will have hundreds of helping post.

"They will get roasted in South Africa."
WOW we have an Astrologer here … And why I am saying Astrologer because by now we all know - "You have no sense of Cricket"

Nothing Personal YOU SEE

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 18:04 GMT

great achivement ....keep going...........

POSTED BY
arvin
on | October 14, 2010, 18:03 GMT

sachin is the greatest cricketer ever....
as for people comparing him to bradman well there is no comparison... sachin is a complete cricketer playing under all conditions in every country scoring tons of runs and taking about 200 wickets as well ...
where as bradman was a home pitches bully mostly playing with his English friends with no pressure whatsoever of carrying a billion people expectations... if he would have played few tests in sub-continent or fast pitches of west indies and south africa, he would not have maintained that skewed average of 99 ...

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 18:02 GMT

i ve watched tendulkar's 1st match when he faced waqar n played with blood stained shirt,then my mom n aunt had tears in their eyes as if their own son was hit by the ball. i was 8yrs old then.since then every time he entered the ground,he was not just one more batsman,he meant much more to us.millions of indians consider him as their own family member n celebrate his every achievement as their own. To everybody who compare sachin with others i want to make clear only one thing, we love him so much not just for his runs but for carrying the aspirations of millions of people all these years n bringing smile on their face most of the time.

POSTED BY
iammadhu
on | October 14, 2010, 17:59 GMT

this year is two thousand ten (dulkar).. so its his year.. i saw highlights.. his innings was so much in control.. solid.. finally, its quite possible there are batsman out there more gifted/talented than him - but not as consistent as him, not as humble as him
look at yuvraj - after 6 sizes in T20, his head became as big as the planet and now hes not even in the team.. i can't believe MS Dhoni keeps his place in team though he hasnt done much

POSTED BY
SrikanthReddi
on | October 14, 2010, 17:52 GMT

@Usman.. you have touched my heart. Thanks

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 17:48 GMT

Well deserved for our indian bradman,deserves every single bit!

POSTED BY
Indus11
on | October 14, 2010, 17:47 GMT

@ iamHari51: Bradman will ALWAYS be number 1 - he has an unassailable record: 52 80 10 6996 334 99.94 29 13 6 32 It does not matter that he did not play as much cricket as Sachin does and therefore Sachin has to work hard and stay in shape. It does not matter that Bradman played in the days when bowlers were dribbly dobbly medium pacers, and opposition fielders were lager drinking un-athletic people who could not hit from the wicket from two yards. The record is one thing that is unbeatable - the other is the memories of surviving cricketers or commentators from that era - those have become exaggerated over the years to also be unassailable. Of-course every one knows if Dradman played today - against the demon athletic bowlers of today - Bradman woudl have a place WAY below Sachin. Ian Botham - another of very highly exaggerated players also makes a comment about Bradman not having been the best Batsman in history.

POSTED BY
bbpp
on | October 14, 2010, 17:41 GMT

Sachin is ONE of the greatest batsmen of all times but only an Indian will think he IS the greatest....Bradman is unquestionably the greatest as all non-Indian fans will say and even many cricket knowledgeable Indian fans. Even in his era while he has outlasted Lara and has been more consistent because of a greater love for the game, for sheer brilliance, dominance and impact on any given day Lara was better. Also, look up Pollock, Hammond, Headley, Sobers, Viv etc. from other eras.
Even in the Indian team, Dravid and Sehwag for the last decade were more critical matchwinners. This is not to say that, with this resurgence, he may be the only batsman to be at the top for such a long time.

POSTED BY
SrikanthReddi
on | October 14, 2010, 17:34 GMT

Bradman, Sachin, Gary Sobers are the three GREATEST CRICKETS. SACHIN is the God of Cricket!!!

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 17:31 GMT

Curious if there is any kind of description available of the bowlers, whom Sir Don faced.I saw a couple of clips and those look pretty ordinary like myself. Also what i saw in those clips Don playing away from his body a lot.

POSTED BY
Yorker_ToeCrusher
on | October 14, 2010, 17:27 GMT

NO doubt,He is the greatest of all time.60 odd different venues,reverse swing,battles against some of the gemes best bowlers of all(Warne,Wasim,Murali etc),constant computer analysis,not to mention the unimaginable pressure from 1000 million fans.I get a feeling that Sachin is yet to peak.We will be soon witnessing one of his tripple centuries.Thanks

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 17:25 GMT

Also, Sachin by now is above these rankings. To say he is number one among these current players is an insult to him. These rankings are for players who are still trying to prove something to the world, but Sachin has done that repeatedly for 21 years. He's gotten to a level where this ranking business is so trivial that he probably doesn't even care that his name is next to the number 1. So, my suggestion is, Sachin should be excluded from this list and put on a special class, and then the rest of the players should be ranked ;-)

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 17:21 GMT

Sachin is the greatest of all time (period). Who knows if there was somebody else playing in 18th century who averaged 200 or something. Don is great !!! no disrespects to him but unfortunately have put him in second spot.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 17:15 GMT

@nlambda: Was that necessary dude? Who even said anything about Pakistan here? I think I can speak on behalf of my fellow Pakistanis that we do love Sachin and a lot of us (including I) do consider him the greatest batsman of all time. It's only the few challenged ones who are so blinded by nationalism that they claim Inzamam is better, but then again I'm sure there are counterparts in India who say Srinath is better than Wasim. (BTW I don't think ANYone claims Rameez was better. Anyone who does is delusional. In fact, no Pakistani batsman is even in the top 5 greatest batsmen of all time.)

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 17:15 GMT

He's the master ... always number one ...not only in the ratings..also in hs fans hearts

POSTED BY
anky19
on | October 14, 2010, 17:14 GMT

RETURN OF THE KING!! LONG LIVE THE KING!

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 17:04 GMT

Ranking are depends upon the statistical data. Bt when u look on the basis of talent, performance, genuine, sachin is always great. i dont know understand why sachin is continously been omitted from ODI side, since his 200. he averages 204 in two mathces of this year. Srikanth should consider abt this again....looking forward for the kiwis nd proteas series...

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 16:57 GMT

Sachin!!! Greatest of all time period. People with these silly comments about sachin are basically kinda people who can't tolerate other's succes. I understand that's a very usual human nature.

who knows somebody before Bradman was playing in 18th century and had an average of 200. having said that no disrespect for the great he deserves it but unfortunately would have to settle for second place.

POSTED BY
Mark00
on | October 14, 2010, 16:56 GMT

Wasim said a lot of silly things when he was trying to become an Indian movie star but the only written and signed statement by Wasim was that Martin Crowe, De Silva, Dravid, and Lara were the most difficult batsmen.

Recently, another former cricketer said that of the few international batsmen in the world who have truly exceptional hand-eye coordination, two are on the Indian team. Guess whose name he didn't mention?

There's only one batsman in history who, embarrasingly has been shoulder before wicket. What's more he was SBW twice (one given, the other not given due to lack of UDRS). Guess who?

POSTED BY
iamHari51
on | October 14, 2010, 16:51 GMT

BRADMAN is one of the greatest to play the game..Due respects to him..Why is Bradman compared with Sachin ..Sachin has played in an era where there is much pressure around player and which is immense on him.morever he has played in an era where a batsmen is read by the opposition by technology ........also.he played in an era..which had reverse swings,doosras..etc.... SACHIN IS FAR FAR FAR better than BRADMAN..

POSTED BY
MiddleStump
on | October 14, 2010, 16:43 GMT

Wait, Sachin is NOT number 1. According to latest reports, Sangakara does not understand how Sachin can be number 1. On all ranking issues, Sangakara is the final authority and we all have to wait for his decision while he tries to understand how Sachin can be at the top.

POSTED BY
MandarJoshi
on | October 14, 2010, 16:41 GMT

The reason why sachin might score over Bradman is because
1) Most of the time bradman played against average England Bowling and he never toured sub continent. We all know how Australians play spin now ;-)
2) He didnt have any pressure like sachin has carrying the expectations of millions
3) The modern era has got technolgy so bowlers can find many weaknesses of batsman looking at the tapes
4) Bradman was not tested at all against reverse swing from wasim or doosra from murali...these were found in modern era

POSTED BY
saifkl
on | October 14, 2010, 16:39 GMT

Two years ago my younger brother told me that "we still haven't seen the best of tendulakr and his true peak is yet to come". As Tendular had been playing for years by that time, I laughed at him...

Well I now see what he meant...

I now believe that we will be witnessing his best performances....

Geat for cricket, great for India......

POSTED BY
rja379
on | October 14, 2010, 16:33 GMT

mark and wolver...stop making rubbish comments...don is great. sachin is great. lara, ponting and others do come in their league.

POSTED BY
Crazy_Cricket_Fan
on | October 14, 2010, 16:31 GMT

Guys..just forget the stats..
consider cricket as pure public entertainment....
Sachin is obviously the greatest of all times(including movie stars, politicians etc etc) for entertaining more than billion ppl all over the world for 21 LONGGGGGGG years..
And these billion ppl aren't foolish to watch him for 21 years if he isn't worth...so don't be cry babies(espcially @nav84smom@) and try to enjoy watching him PLAY..

POSTED BY
markosmarkos
on | October 14, 2010, 16:24 GMT

I find it highly amusing that the Indian posters on here have such a desperate need to find a genuine Sporting icon that they would try to place Tendulkar above Bradman. I'm not Australian, and in fact want everyone to beat the Australians, but, especially given the state of pitches at the time of Bradman there can be no doubt that his average categorically proves he was a one off exception, if only because it is so much higher than anyone else has come close to achieving. Tendulkar fits into the next category with the Lara's, Pontings, Pollocks, Dravids etc.

That is not to belittle Tendulkar, as his longevity is a testament to his dedication and personal conduct, but to just claim 'GREATEST BATSMAN EVER' smacks of the Indian fans being blinkered and desperate for their own to be recognised as the best.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 16:12 GMT

14000 runs in test and 99.9 avg in test and 800 wkts in test are unique records and no one is going to break it in the near future. Guys lets not compare this legends with each other they are unique in themselves. I havent seen Don's record but lucky to see the other two records. When Gavaskar scored 10000 runs in test we all know its going to get break b/c Border was nearing to it. But 140000 runs I dont see any one near to it. b/c all who are close to 140000 runs will retire before Sachin. Coming to 99.9 avg in 50+ Test is going to be a record for ever no one is going to beat this record and same with 800 wkts.
Lets salute this legends and enjoy the moments instead of debating.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 16:07 GMT

sachin leads the icc ranking again after 2002

POSTED BY
rbrok206
on | October 14, 2010, 16:05 GMT

@ mark00: remove sachins runs from indian score board in this series and see what would have been the result.Sachin doesnt play only himself he also make other players to play that is his greatness.

POSTED BY
Paresh.K
on | October 14, 2010, 16:00 GMT

They say - Form is temporary, Class is permanent.The other factor is numbers really say a lot about Tendulkar, but they don't talk about his humility,his humbleness and more importantly his respect to the game.
That's the reason why he is the Master, and why even his rivals respect him and adore him.
He is "The Master"

POSTED BY
nataraajds
on | October 14, 2010, 15:56 GMT

sachin is always #1 . he is the undisputed KING of cricket.. this year has been very fanstastic year for him.. sachin go on.. WIN the world cup and complete your dreem. The entire nation is with you.

POSTED BY
Dilly81
on | October 14, 2010, 15:45 GMT

Congrats Sachin ! You are the best. Now to some of the comments

@Wolver-->Sachin scored more runs because he played longer. But his average which is less than Bradman is not because he played more matches ???Had Bradman played 171 tests who knows the average would have been closer to Sachin's and may be lesser.

@Mark no words for your comments as they don't deserve any. Martin Crowe and Desilva better than Sachin??? I rest my case sir...Long live you :)

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 15:38 GMT

Wolver, when did Ponting take 250 wickets?

POSTED BY
CricFan24
on | October 14, 2010, 15:37 GMT

Tendulkar>Bradman.................>The rest. If Bradman played 170 tests, 450 ODIs, scored 30000+ runs, had several surgeries etc etc he would NOT have avg. 99. If Tendulkar played in Bradman's time , just 52 Tests spread out nicely over 20 yrs, who's to say he wouldn't have avg. more than the Don??????

POSTED BY
nlambda
on | October 14, 2010, 15:33 GMT

It is time for Pak fans to grudgingly concede that Tendulkar is better than Rameez Raja... although they would still furiously resist the idea that he is better than Inzamam!

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 15:31 GMT

If U guys talking rubbish bout sachin are aussies, then lemme tell u dat the poll conducted a few days bak by aussie media found dat 84% agree wid SACHIN BEING THE BEST and 16% said that DON WAS THE BEST. i suppose u r contradicting wid ur own countrymen...:P

Wolver we all agree that Don was the best. But dont right nonsense like he has scored bcos he has played longer. With the strenuos cricket that is going on these days ur so called players would not hv lasted for 10 to 15 yrs leave alone 20 yrs that Sachin has managed with all his elbow problem and all that. And let me tell u one thing he will play for another 3 years and smash all records. U hv got to give credit to the man for his longevity. And he still scores tons and tons of runs which no other Indian player or be it from the rest of the world. And let me tell u the final word. There is no other player in the Indian horizon to replace him. A new kid has to be born.

POSTED BY
khris89
on | October 14, 2010, 15:26 GMT

ok ive had enough of reading cricinfo comments about comparing people from the modern era to the bradman times and whos better than who...and when i say people...you know who im really talking about.

@Wolver, "The Don is FAR ahead of sachin and of all these players. (99 vs 50 odd?)" Please. The Egyptians built the Pyramids. Amazing. Then the Russians sent man out into space. Amazing. Quote Bill Gates: "640kb ought to be enough for anybody". Hilarious.

Ponting or Tendulkar. Who is the better batsman. That can be argued fairly and with merit. However, the relevance of some statistics change and should be left to their respective time frames. 99 vs 50. Please.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 15:25 GMT

agree u cann't compare players of different era... but as don bradman is still remembered for his style and the consistency which resulted in his renounced 99.9 average. but dont forget the true gentleman, tendulkar with thousands of unmatchable records and the way he carries himself in his 21 yr long carrier without any disputes. His contribution towards young players is of immense help and he truely enjoy thier company.With so much media and technology improvement every opposition has a specific plan for him.Also expectations of more than a billion ppl are always high and anything less than 100 is considered as failure... still he is able to stand tall and keep performing and enjoy the game with still the same enthusiasm of 16 yr old sachin... to me he is definately the world best ambassador for any sport and a true role model....

POSTED BY
CoolShubham
on | October 14, 2010, 15:20 GMT

tendulkar will remain on top in the rankings for coming years......

POSTED BY
addiemanav
on | October 14, 2010, 15:17 GMT

abe oye Mr. negative ,mark00!!..get a life..frankly, nobody shud even bother to convince a person like u!!sachin is the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen..he has been the most consistent..others peaked in a particular year but followed with an ordinary..but with tendulkar each year was special!!

POSTED BY
green_jelly
on | October 14, 2010, 15:14 GMT

He has been compared to everyone from Lara to Ponting over the years. They have all come and gone, but he still stands tall. Idiots will argue whether he is the greatest or not over statistics. But no one can argue with one uncountable statistic - that he has brought the greatest joy to the largest number of people over the longest period of time.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 15:12 GMT

@ Mark00: Wasim has never said that Tendulkar is vulnerable. He said "defensively, gavaskar and martin Crowe are the most difficult to bowl to but Sachin is the man who can hit good balls for six runs of bowlers like him and Glenn Mcgrath which not many can do. Not even Gilchrist or Sehwag. Initially, his defense wasn't that strong but over a period of time, sachin has developed a rock solid defense, better than Dravid, Kallis which shows in his recent test performance all over the world. Rankings don't give you the full picture. A player consistently in the top range is much better than player peaking to very high point only for going into the abyss. Just take the case of Pieterson and Chanderpaul. First, they ain't considered in the same class. 2nd, they were prolific run getters in their peak and scored over 900 in ICC rankings but now, they ain't even in the team. Here, importance of Sachin is felt as he can score runs even in bad form and even score century in a very scratchy way.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 15:11 GMT

Sachin U Deserve It... We Warmly Wish and Wait fa u to win the world cup 2011 for India and Also Break BC Lara's Record of 400:) The Day is Soon Gonna Come:-)

POSTED BY
ritesh405
on | October 14, 2010, 15:10 GMT

i think some of the people here that are comparing sachin to don or lara or ponting need to understand, that when an indian says that sachin is the all time best, he is not comparing sachins record or his average to others. He is just saying that records apart; if all these players are batting in different fields at same time for free, he will still pay to watch sachin bat oh his field. the level of joy and satisfaction to see sachin bat is very high compared to others for him. so, even if sachin were or maybe or was or is not or is the best; we indians dont care, because we love to see him bat, is all that an indian is saying. if you feel the same way, join the club, else zip it and try to find the same happiness in the player that you support (if you can). good luck.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 15:09 GMT

The Gr8 Almighty in The Religion of Cricket who has got all eyes on him ,yeah Sachin Tendliya The Cricketing God Rulesz!!!!!!!!!!! So India Rulezzzzzzz Too:-)

POSTED BY
cricrayhan
on | October 14, 2010, 15:00 GMT

Yes Sachin is a great batsman but he is not God, he is just a man with GOD like consistence. Hats off master, long live master.....

@Wolver, Agreed that some guys prefer having blinkers at some times, but at all times ? Ponting has 250 wickets ?! Now thats news ! When u are in this site, why not chk the records ? And then now go to Tendulkar's page and chk how many wickets he has. Regards captaincy pressure, u really think the pressure to captain an Aussie side is greater than the pressure of the expectations of billion cricket fanatics who expect u to score nothing less than a century every time u walk out (Dhoni has begun taking his lessons now !) and to stand up to that pressure, u think that is a small deed ? Now about Tendulkar playing more matches - chk out the number of innings he has played and the number of innings Ponting has played, and multiply the difference with Ponting's avg, does it exceed Sachin's present runs tally ? Food for thought !

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 14:36 GMT

Of course this genius is playing this game for a long time, do not take anything away from him. It's not that easy playing for long time, these days fans are tired of just watching long innings think of how difficult it is for the players. Even the DON would agree 50+ after 170+ matches is far far better than 99 in just 50+ matches. (period)

POSTED BY
r_narayan
on | October 14, 2010, 14:33 GMT

don't put ponting in the same league as sachin,he has never been anywhere close to tendulkar's class( not when he was part of arguably the best testteam ever,not when he had to captain a so-so team for last 3yrs) .ponting is a good batsman,better than most,but to start comparing him to tendulkar is foolhardy[just look at the stats] now that the australian team is without the services of warne and co.,even his captaincy record is suffering which makes us realize that his tremendous sucessrate of around 80% as captain might just have been due to the skills of his now retired teammates rather than due to his leadership qualities.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 14:32 GMT

People really need to stop saying that Tendulkar is the greatest batsman of all time. Whilst he is certainly an all-time great and is enjoying, as one of the comments says, a renaissance, it is still debatable whether he is the greatest of his era, let alone of all time. He certainly does not surpass Bradman and the likes of Hobbs and Sobers likely surpass, or at least equal, him as a batsman. Some people need to gain some historical perspective...

POSTED BY
Rohan1
on | October 14, 2010, 14:32 GMT

@Mark00. "Because these batsmen had a better eye and reflexes and could play late swing better than the rest".......The place where it swings the most- England. In England Lara avg.48.7, Tendulkar in England avg.62....Really,sometimes I wonder if you ppl have actually ever watched cricket, or your anti tendulkar mania completely blinds you to genius...amazing.

POSTED BY
xjosephjacob
on | October 14, 2010, 14:29 GMT

I say he has been the best in business for the past 20 years of cricket. Don was the the best of the lot at his time, and the present belongs to Sachin !! though he's nearing 38, he's as fit as ever and Bats with the enthusiasm of a young gun. the elegance in his each and evry shot, the balance, drives, pulls, chip's, sweeps what not !! And above all, the down to earth character !! Really happy to know that the Best Man is at the top !! wine and Alcohol gets better with time, but in cricket only Tendulkar gets better with time. He has always been the best !! Way to go !!

POSTED BY
Rohan1
on | October 14, 2010, 14:28 GMT

Mark00: God knows which world you live in- Wasim has always rated Tendulkar as better than lara and the rest and has called Tendulkar the only "unbowlable batsman since the 90"...What ? you ppl dream up stuff?

POSTED BY
Rohan1
on | October 14, 2010, 14:25 GMT

@wolver....To say Tendulkar "only " has so many runs coz he has played longer is pretty stupid. sure, it matters...but that is like saying if Borg had continued playing till now he would have had 60 Grand Slams....It's not just like you turn up and the Bat will score automatically....Tendulkar has played 3 generations of bowlers, over 21 years, in all conditions (inc. MUCH tougher 90s conditions), everywhere, all formats, 32000 int runs, nearing a 100 100s, SEVERAl career threatening injuries/surgeries, incredible pressure.........and STILL, STILL...at the end of it all averages the same or better than his contemporaries.......Learn to appreciate greatness...

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 14:19 GMT

there is no stopping this superhero !!!

POSTED BY
gfthgh
on | October 14, 2010, 14:16 GMT

anil kumble ,rahul dravid,sahwag give more test win than sachin tendulker considering up to 2007.also rikey ponding he is perfoming mainley for australia not for mumbai indians . and rikey ponding is playing oneday as well as test. sachin is only playing test . the umpiring of the series mainley supottative to india. that is why india not like 3d umpire hawkay type disition making.for a test cricket brain lara is more effective. strike rate of lara and ponding is too high than sachin.kalis have contributing both bat bawl. sangakara and mahala are also good plyers.muthya muralitharan ,shane wane ,wasim akram,chnra paul,mian dad,loat of old england and australian and pollok, all are better than sachin in test.for one day cricket sachin is the best . but not in test match cricket.most of the cases sachin score will not contribute to win except last 3 years or so.

POSTED BY
jammuthejatt
on | October 14, 2010, 14:14 GMT

But is he a Champion? Help India Win a world cup otherwise all these stats. are worthless to us really!

POSTED BY
Lion_of_Lanka
on | October 14, 2010, 14:14 GMT

@samavb: First of all eventhough I'm SL I must say congrats SRT who had it long coming and deserves it. As for your inane comment saying Sanga should learn how to bat, be sportive, humble from SRT, let me tell you that before Sanga there are players in the Indian team that need to learn that from SRT *cough*Yuvraj*cough* (Atleast Sanga can play the bouncer well and has one of the best techniques unlike Yuvraj, Raina, Sharma etc.) Sanga never complained about player rankings he just stated that ICC should adopt a better method of ranking test teams. Oh and sorry to burst your bubble but Sanga deserves to be ahead of Sehwag in ICC rankings. Sanga's averages - 56.85 (Test - after playing 10 more matches than Sehwag which makes it more impressive since the more matches you play, the harder to maintain a high average) & 36.83 (ODI) to Sehwag's - 53.37 (Test) & 34.62 (ODI). Do the math

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 14:06 GMT

master really the god of cricket...., am really proud to be a fan f the lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!

POSTED BY
SUNDOS
on | October 14, 2010, 14:04 GMT

Truly deserving.Talent,demeanour,a role model,one runs out of superlatives.One shudders to think of the the Indian team without Tendulkar.We as cricket fans need to cherish every appearance by him from now on.

POSTED BY
Proteas123
on | October 14, 2010, 13:58 GMT

Sachin is very good and deserves his current ranking but to say he is best ever is complete rubbish. He is in the same league as Ponting, Kallis, Dravid, Lara and VIV. He only has more runs because he has been playing longer and has not had the exstra work load of Captain or taken over 250 wickets like Ponting and Kallis. The Don is FAR ahead of sachin and of all these players. (99 vs 50 odd?)

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 13:58 GMT

It has become an addiction or habit for this man to break records after records.. How many greats have done it?.. not much..Federer? Schumacher??
By doing it consistently..he not only emphasizes his greatness but his undiminished value in the current team.
We dont know whats in store for him yet we can say that the best of Tendulkar is still goind strong after 2 decades. It will be a fitting farewell if India lifts the World Cup.

POSTED BY
Mark00
on | October 14, 2010, 13:58 GMT

While he got close in 2002 (898), there's a reason why he's never crossed the 900 mark.

He's been very consistent but he has never attained the peaks that batsmen like Richards, Lara, and Ponting, or even Sangakarra, Pieterson and Chanderpaul have.

He has never played an innings such as Laxman's 167 vs Australia. Laxman, and others, has it done it many times.

Wasim didn't list Tendulkar among the four most difficult batsmen to bowl to. Those, in no particular order, were Martin Crowe, Aravinda De Silva, Brian Lara, and Rahul Dravid. Why? Because these batsmen had a better eye and reflexes and could play late swing better than the rest.

POSTED BY
iamgroot
on | October 14, 2010, 13:52 GMT

14,000 test runs..nearly 50 centures.. in tests and also one dayers.. only man to touch 200 in ODIs .. 17,000 odi runs.. both at an average of 56 and 40 .. And he has crossed that 1st rank long back..now he is well above the rankings.. He was master , is and will always be a master...

sachin is a text book for others to learn from.... especially sangakkara.. how to behave with public..how to give statements ..how to bat..how to be humble.. how to respect opposition..h0w to be sportive ... he can learn alot from SACHIN... there are many other cricketers who have lot to learn from SAchin.. ..now u wont see sangakkara complaining about rankings.. why? bcoz he is at no.2 ..

there is a high possibility that sachin might well cross 1700 mark..the way he is batting.. another 500 runs in 5 test matches or so.. ..min 50 runs in each nnings of those 5 test matches.. that will do.. and sehwag...though he is wrong at no.3..he can easily surpass sangakkara ..no d

POSTED BY
Rohan1
on | October 14, 2010, 13:49 GMT

Sachin Tendulkar= Greatest batsman of all time....and like someone else said - where are the poor antitendulkar sods now? ...well, the poor chaps just wait for tendulkar to fail and then jump on to the blogs with their silly comments....but guess what ...tendulkar is not done as yet! So,to the anti tendulkar sods- get ready for plenty more real PAIN as the Maestro keeps cranking out the runs....Ha,ha, ha

POSTED BY
polls
on | October 14, 2010, 13:43 GMT

The No.1 ranking has a meaning now. Sachin is great and no one can surpass his records. Long live Sachin

POSTED BY
manasvi_lingam
on | October 14, 2010, 13:39 GMT

Rankings don't tel the entire story. But, it is nice to see Tendulkar claim the No.1 spot since he has been in terrific form. But his form and class go beyond any rankings and this is true for any great player.

POSTED BY
markosmarkos
on | October 14, 2010, 13:35 GMT

Come on chaps......it's lovely that India has a sporting icon, but when acclaiming Tendulkar as the greatest batsman ever, lets not overlook Bradman (or indeed Lara). Bradman's achievements are in a different class and will never be bettered.

Nice to see Tendulkar having something of a rennaissance though.

POSTED BY
lugujaga
on | October 14, 2010, 13:34 GMT

in this series tendulkar actualy put an end to detractors that he never made big scores to help india win. great job tendulkar the name master cricketer has a lot more meaning now.

POSTED BY
pradeep2010
on | October 14, 2010, 13:25 GMT

GOD OF CRICKET HAS CLAIMED HIS CROWN
SOME QUOTES ON SACHIN
BBC Sports: Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives.
Steve Waugh: "You take Don Bradman away and he is next up I reckon."
Andy Flower: There are 2 kind of batsmen in the world. One Sachin Tendulkar. Two all the others.
WE LOVE YOU SACHIN

POSTED BY
me.teamindia
on | October 14, 2010, 13:00 GMT

guys these rankings don't matter as sachin has always been the numero uno batsman...

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 12:57 GMT

He deserves it. True legend of World Cricket.

POSTED BY
Tejas
on | October 14, 2010, 12:56 GMT

This is what he deserves !!! He should be on the top of the any list as he showed that he is still hungry for runs. I read somewhere Sunil Gavaskar saying ... Its mental fatigue which forced him to call off from international cricket not physical barrier or age concern.. It means Sachin is still mentally strong and he can serve our team for longer period. Where is that mirror Mr. ??????? Well I do not have harsh feelings for the critics who were bashing Sachin during his patchy form and when he was struggling to regain his fitness... Rather I will say that made Master batsman to come out more mentally and physically strong..

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 12:55 GMT

maybe he should be knited or what ever its called ..sir sachin tendulkar....or the equivalant of knhighthood in india...

POSTED BY
Kzap01
on | October 14, 2010, 12:55 GMT

sachin is the greatest player that this world has seen and the proof is infront of everyone. the man is 37 yrs old and still going strong without any signs of letting up, the number one rank is just a superficial thing every true cricketer in the world knows who the number one player is, every time he steps on the field he brakes a new record. CHEERS TO SACHIN THE GREATEST PLAYER THE WORLD HAS SEEN.

POSTED BY
Denisha12
on | October 14, 2010, 12:45 GMT

This is well-deserved, he truly is the greatest batsman in the world.

POSTED BY
ravithecricbuff
on | October 14, 2010, 12:38 GMT

these are just numbers!!SACHIN was, IS and WILL remain the VEST EVER BATSMAN to WALK THE PLANET!! Hail the GOD of CRICKET!! We all bow to you in respect....

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 12:37 GMT

this is what its deserve the no. one ranking deserve only one man THE BEST, Sachin REAL TIGER. No one can better than him to achieve this position and he showed that. He is the man whom i admiring for i starting to watch the cricket nearly Sixteen years ago. And his passion and my faith in him is the same. Even i don't see those when he not plays. Hope he ll play more twenty years as i wish to see Cricket Matches. HATS OFF GOD.

POSTED BY
The_Dynamite_Kid
on | October 14, 2010, 12:35 GMT

Eat your heart out, critics .........ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

POSTED BY
gudolerhum
on | October 14, 2010, 12:33 GMT

What a testimony to the greatest batsman of the current era and at least the past two decades. He continues to demonstrate the meaning of true greatness. Long may he want to and be able to excite us and thrill us with his genius. A true ambassador for the game.

What a testimony to the greatest batsman of the current era and at least the past two decades. He continues to demonstrate the meaning of true greatness. Long may he want to and be able to excite us and thrill us with his genius. A true ambassador for the game.

POSTED BY
The_Dynamite_Kid
on | October 14, 2010, 12:35 GMT

Eat your heart out, critics .........ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 12:37 GMT

this is what its deserve the no. one ranking deserve only one man THE BEST, Sachin REAL TIGER. No one can better than him to achieve this position and he showed that. He is the man whom i admiring for i starting to watch the cricket nearly Sixteen years ago. And his passion and my faith in him is the same. Even i don't see those when he not plays. Hope he ll play more twenty years as i wish to see Cricket Matches. HATS OFF GOD.

POSTED BY
ravithecricbuff
on | October 14, 2010, 12:38 GMT

these are just numbers!!SACHIN was, IS and WILL remain the VEST EVER BATSMAN to WALK THE PLANET!! Hail the GOD of CRICKET!! We all bow to you in respect....

POSTED BY
Denisha12
on | October 14, 2010, 12:45 GMT

This is well-deserved, he truly is the greatest batsman in the world.

POSTED BY
Kzap01
on | October 14, 2010, 12:55 GMT

sachin is the greatest player that this world has seen and the proof is infront of everyone. the man is 37 yrs old and still going strong without any signs of letting up, the number one rank is just a superficial thing every true cricketer in the world knows who the number one player is, every time he steps on the field he brakes a new record. CHEERS TO SACHIN THE GREATEST PLAYER THE WORLD HAS SEEN.

POSTED BY
on | October 14, 2010, 12:55 GMT

maybe he should be knited or what ever its called ..sir sachin tendulkar....or the equivalant of knhighthood in india...

POSTED BY
Tejas
on | October 14, 2010, 12:56 GMT

This is what he deserves !!! He should be on the top of the any list as he showed that he is still hungry for runs. I read somewhere Sunil Gavaskar saying ... Its mental fatigue which forced him to call off from international cricket not physical barrier or age concern.. It means Sachin is still mentally strong and he can serve our team for longer period. Where is that mirror Mr. ??????? Well I do not have harsh feelings for the critics who were bashing Sachin during his patchy form and when he was struggling to regain his fitness... Rather I will say that made Master batsman to come out more mentally and physically strong..